Maharashtra forms panel to explore law against forced conversions and "love jihad"
text_fields
The Maharashtra government has set up a seven-member committee to examine the possibility of introducing legislation against forced religious conversions and so-called "love jihad."
The panel, led by the state's Director General of Police, includes representatives from the departments of women and child welfare, minority affairs, law and judiciary, social justice, special assistance, and home affairs.
The term "love jihad" is used by some to suggest that Muslim men conspire to marry Hindu women to convert them to Islam. Several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, have already enacted laws to address such cases. Maharashtra may now follow suit.
According to a government resolution issued on Friday, the committee will review complaints related to forced conversions and study existing laws in other states before making recommendations for potential legislation.
Maharashtra Minister and senior BJP leader Mangal Prabhat Lodha thanked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for taking steps to curb incidents of "love jihad." He stated that the committee's formation aims to protect women and uphold cultural values.
Lodha highlighted past cases where women were allegedly killed in interfaith relationships, citing the murders of Shraddha Walkar, Rupali Chandanshive, Poonam Kshirsagar, Yashashree Shinde, and Sonam Shukla as examples. He also referenced his role in establishing the Interfaith Marriage Coordination Committee under the previous state government led by Eknath Shinde.
However, opposition leader and NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) Working President Supriya Sule criticised the move, arguing that the government should prioritise economic concerns over personal matters like love and marriage. "If the economy is impacted, the entire country will suffer," she said.
In states where similar laws exist, penalties for forced conversions have been severe. Uttar Pradesh, for instance, passed an amendment in 2024 that imposes a 20-year prison sentence or life imprisonment for conversions carried out under duress or false promises of marriage.