VHP flags rise in ‘love jihad’ in Kerala, demands anti-conversion law
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Kochi: The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has alleged a rise in so-called “love jihad” cases in Kerala and has demanded the introduction of a stringent anti-conversion law to address the issue.
Speaking at an event in Kerala on Saturday, VHP National Secretary General Milind Parande claimed that such incidents were increasing in the state. He cited the example of a marriage involving a young woman who had earlier come into public attention during the Prayagraj Kumbh Mela and a Muslim man.
Parande alleged that the woman, belonging to a tribal community, was a minor as per the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) and had been “abducted” from Madhya Pradesh and brought to Kerala. He further claimed that political protection was extended to the person who brought her to the state instead of efforts being made to rescue her.
He also alleged that Kerala had become a “paradise for love jihadists” due to the stance of the state’s communist government. Without providing supporting evidence, he claimed there was significant involvement of Muslim girls in such activities and described the situation as “worrisome.”
According to Parande, “a particular section of the community” was “wilfully undertaking such activities,” and urged the Muslim community to reflect on such developments, which he said were making other sections of society feel unsafe.
He also referred to proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), which were later withdrawn by the Centre for the time being. He alleged that some missionary organisations were misusing foreign funds for religious conversions under the guise of running schools, hospitals, and charitable institutions.
Parande described such activities as “illegal, anti-social and anti-Hindu,” while asserting that Hindu temples do not engage in similar practices. He also criticised Christian missionary institutions, stating they could not be compared with Hindu temples.
Responding to a recent claim by a Christian priest that Hindu temples were hoarding money, he questioned the allegation and raised concerns over what he called selective criticism of religious institutions.
The VHP leader also questioned why temple administration in Kerala is controlled by the government while mosques and churches are not, calling it discriminatory. He further criticised the role of communist leaders in managing Devaswom Boards, which oversee temple affairs, alleging ideological contradictions.
He claimed this situation had led to incidents of temple thefts involving “kilograms of gold,” without providing details.
The term “love jihad” is commonly used by right-wing groups to allege a conspiracy involving Muslim men targeting Hindu women for relationships and conversion, though it remains a disputed and legally unproven claim.
Meanwhile, on March 12, the woman at the centre of the cited case had stated that her marriage to a Muslim man was of her own choice and conducted according to Hindu customs. She rejected allegations of “love jihad,” clarifying that neither she nor her husband changed their religion and that the marriage was consensual.
With PTI inputs