NCM chief asks "what is love jihad?": says no bar on interfaith marriage with mutual consent

New Delhi: Taking exception to the use of the term "love jihad" for certain cases of interfaith marriage, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on Wednesday said there were no restrictions on couples of legal age and professing different faiths tying the nuptial knot with mutual consent.

NCM chairperson Iqbal Singh Lalpura made the remarks while replying to queries at a press conference.

However, he said the commission had in the past received some complaints from parents alleging that their ward was misled into interfaith marriage.

"There is no bar on interfaith marriage if the couple has mutual consent," he said.

He also said that some of the complaints they received were later found to be true.

There have been isolated cases of misleading in the name of religion and marrying. But no particular community can be blamed for that. He said they expect the state governments concerned to ensure justice.

When asked for his comment on the BJP's campaign against 'love jihad' in Kerala and other parts of the country, the NCM chairperson asked, "What is love jihad? I have not found this term in any dictionary."

Lalpura said that he has not seen any complaint on 'love jihad' like this by any particular community and clarified that he is not the representative or spokesperson of the BJP.

"Only they (BJP) can tell you (about love jihad)," Lalpura said.

He also said that everybody has the right to marry a person of his or her choice.