Karnataka To Enact Law Banning Religious Conversions For Marriage, Says Minister CT Ravi

Ravi said the government would not remain silent when “jihadis strip the dignity of women” in the state.

Bengaluru: Tourism Minister of Karnataka and BJP national general secretary CT Ravi on Tuesday said the state would be enacting a law to ban religious conversions for the sake of marriage. This comes after the BJP-ruled states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana announced their intention of bringing legislation to deal with cases of "love jihad". 

 Ravi said the government would not remain silent when “jihadis strip the dignity of women” in the state.

“On the lines of Allahabad High Court’s order, Karnataka will enact a law banning religious conversions for the sake of marriage. We will not remain silent when Jihadis strip the dignity of our sisters,” Ravi tweeted.

He further said anyone involved in any act of conversion would face severe and swift punishment.

The statement comes days after the Allahabad High Court termed the conversion of religion for the purpose of marriage was illegal. The court made the remark while dismissing a plea by a newly married couple in Uttar Pradesh that had approached it to direct police and the woman’s father not to disturb their marital life.

On Sunday, following the murder of a 20-year-old woman in Faridabad last week, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Home Minister Anil Vij said the government was contemplating “legal provisions” against incidents of “love jihad”.

Nikita Tomar a 20-year-old woman, was shot dead outside her college, allegedly by her former classmate, Tauseef, with her family telling police he had a one-sided affection towards her. The woman’s father has alleged the accused had been pressuring his daughter to marry him a few days before the murder, “asking her to convert to Islam so they could get married, but she was not willing”.

“Attempts are being made by unscrupulous elements to force people to convert their religion through love jihad. In Faridabad’s murder case too, the victim’s family has alleged the woman was being forced to change her religion… We shall hold discussions with our allies… A decision will be taken accordingly,” Vij said.

 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath last week said his government would come up with a law to deal with “love jihad” and warned those indulging in such activities to mend their ways or be prepared for their last journey.

“Chori chhupe, naam chhupa kar ke jo log behen-betiyon ki izzat ke saath khilwad karte hain, unko pehle se meri chetavani: agar woh sudhre nahi toh Ram naam satya hai ki yatra nikalne waali hai (This is my warning to those who conceal names and play with the honour of sisters and daughters: mend your ways or be prepared for the last journey),” he said.

WATCH | Is religious conversion necessary for Muslim marriages?