‘Love jihad’ coined by BJP to divide nation: Ashok Gehlot

As several BJP-ruled states mull on bringing in laws to curb “love jihad” cases, Rajasthan Chief Minister and senior congress leader Ashok Gehlot said such law would be struck down by any court, adding “Love Jihad” is a word manufactured by BJP to divide the Nation & disturb communal harmony.

Ashok Gehlot asserted that marriage is a matter of personal liberty, he said, bringing a law to curb it is unconstitutional.

Rajasthan Chief Minister took to his Twitter handle to share his views. He tweeted: “Love Jihad is a word manufactured by BJP to divide the Nation & disturb communal harmony. Marriage is a matter of personal liberty, bringing a law to curb it is completely unconstitutional & it will not stand in any court of law. Jihad has no place in love.”

In another tweet Ashok Gehlot said “They are creating an environment in the nation where consenting adults would be at the mercy of state power. Marriage is a personal decision & they are putting curbs on it, which is like snatching away personal liberty.”

In his last tweet, Rajasthan Chief Minister wrote: “It seems a ploy to disrupt communal harmony, fuel social conflict & disregard constitutional provisions like the state not discriminating against citizens on any ground.”

Till now, the states of Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have expressed concerns over the rising number of cases of “love jihad” and announced their plans to introduce bills.

Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra informed that state government will bring a law against 'Love Jihad' in the next session of the assembly. He informed that the law will provide for five years of rigorous imprisonment to the culprits.

Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath too had disclosed that his government was working to bring a strict law to curb incidents of “love jihad”.