K'taka online marriage registration plan sparks row amid Love Jihad concerns

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently announced a new initiative aimed at simplifying the marriage registration process for couples in the state.

The plan includes the provision for online registration of marriages, eliminating the need for couples to visit Sub registrar's offices.

“You need not visit the Sub registrar’s office to get the registration of your marriage done. The provision for online registration of marriages will be done,” Siddaramaiah said.

Additionally, the government proposed allowing couples to register their marriages at gram panchayats. The Kaveri 2.0 software application, Bapu Seva centres, and Grama One centres have also been designated as alternative registration venues.

“Until now, the marriage registrations were done at only sub-registration offices. To bring flexibility in the process, the provision of online submission of applications is provided,” CM Siddaramaiah announced.

However, the announcement has stirred up opposition from Hindu activists and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Following the budget presentation, the Karnataka BJP unit voiced had objections to the provision.

Hindu activists slammed the Congress government that the new measure will help the elements carrying out love-jihad against Hindu young girls and women.

Suryanarayan, All India Bajrang Dal Co-Convenor, criticized the decision, stating, " on behalf of the organisation, we will surely oppose the decision. Secondly, this system is not good. Thirdly, if we look at the state budget, there are only attempts to appease minorities. Many facilities are made intentionally only for minorities and it is a painful matter."

“There are poor in many sections and they have been ignored to provide benefits to minorities and it is unfortunate. Along with all these measures, this step of providing an online registration facility for marriages appears to be a conspiracy for carrying out religious conversions. This leads to unrest in the society and parents will face difficulties,” Suryanarayan said.

“Already friendships are made and people get married after being introduced on Facebook and WhatsApp and most of them end in divorce cases. All families will suffer as marriages will take place without their knowledge. It is being done to encourage religious conversions,” he maintained.

"The government should not implement this and continue the older method in registration of marriages. Parents should be more careful about their sons and daughters. The young women even as they have mutual consent should opt for the earlier method to register their marriages after taking consent from their families. If they ignore parents, family and go forward with online registration of marriages, their tragedy will surely strike them," Suryanarayan stated.

Founder of Sri Rama Sena, Pramod Muthalik, also voiced concerns about the potential impact of online registration on "love jihad" cases.

He warned that more Hindu girls may become victims of forced conversions, as Muslim and Christian youth could register marriages with them online without their parents' knowledge.

Muthalik emphasized that the previous registration system, which allowed for objections, should be maintained to prevent cheating and uphold transparency.

"Online registration of marriage is conducive for love-jihad cases. The Hindu girls will fall prey in more numbers for love-jihad due to the provision. The proposal for online registration of marriages must be taken back and the previous system must be continued. There is a possibility that few Muslim and Christian youth without the knowledge of parents can register their marriages with Hindu girls online. If those marriages get legal sanction without coming to the knowledge of parents will help love-jihad," he explained.

"The process of visiting the registrar's office directly and getting the marriage registered is the proper method. The online marriage registration system should not be implemented at any cost," he demanded.

With inputs from IANS