- The very mention of love jihad will make one cringy evoking strong emotions to deride the so-called crusaders from brandishing the moniker at the drop of a hat. Many would also wish to launch into a vituperative attack on all those fundamentalists, self-proclaimed activists, self-anointed moral-police brigades, and preachers donning the mantle of ethical high-grounds trying to disturb the social harmony as well as see a storm in the teacup. The word has become synonymous with mostly the right-wing organizations targeting a particular community for allegedly forced conversions. And this is not restricted to few states but several indeed. I am sure many would be not aware as to how, where, and when the term love jihad started originally and also began gaining prominence across the length and breadth of the country.
PC: Shweta Desai
- One would be surprised to know that this was conceived by the Kerala Catholic Church way back in 2009 and since then, the love jihad bogey – never proven once, of course – keeps hogging the limelight not just disrupting the harmonious relationship between different faiths but also vertically dividing the society by polarizing the convivial atmosphere itself. Since then, the spread has been contagious as can be witnessed presently becoming an easy fodder eventually leading to criminalizing of interfaith marriages. Recently, a bishop of the dominant Syro Malabar Catholic Church openly warned a love jihad and narcotic jihad threat to the faithful which shocked entire Kerala setting the stage for a vigorous public debate.
- The vicious spread of the narration spews venom is there for all to see. Of late, the Church again finds itself cornered after an influential Catholic priest alleged the equivalent of love jihad by OBC Ezhava youth. As expected, the heavyweight Ezhava organization has hit back alleging it was Christians, not Muslims, at the forefront of conversions as well as love jihad targeting Hindus. The anger appears to be spilling out as several Muslim groups have marched out in protest against the bishop’s uncalled-for remarks. As is its wont and ever on the lookout to corner the ruling dispensation, the BJP has made a forceful demand for an investigation into narcotic jihad. No wonder, the Kerala CM has asked those in responsible positions to be guarded in their statements.
PC: Sruthisagar Yamunan
- Lest the disturbances created based on parochial considerations will be detrimental to the health of the society’s amity itself. Divisive political discourse serves little purpose but unfortunately, our leaders are loath to let go of the largely unyielding narration for obvious reasons. Consequently, the outcome has resulted in intrusive laws interfering with interfaith relationships and burdening the judiciary who must reverse an oppressive legal template to uphold the tenets of the Constitution. Thus, wiser people should vehemently resist getting pulled into a vortex of lies being paraded by the political class. And what about others? You decide what would be the eventual consequences.
