Tuesday, March 19, 2024

SP will oppose ‘love jihad’ ordinance in assembly: Akhilesh Yadav

Hours after Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel promulgated the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance 2020, former chief minister and Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav said his party will oppose the ordinance in the assembly.

Akhilesh told reporters that Samajwadi Party is against the ordinance and said: “Instead of this, bring an ordinance for the procurement of farmers’ produce. bring an ordinance that will give employment to jobless youth.”

Yogi Adityanath cabinet had earlier this week approved the draft ordinance on so-called ‘Love Jihad’ to curb forcible or “dishonest” religious conversions including those for the sake of marriage, which could land violators in jail for up to 10 years.

More than six opposition-ruled states and community leaders condemned the move as an encroachment on personal liberty, and an attempt to create Islamophobia in the country. They said ‘Love Jihad is a word manufactured by BJP to divide the nation and disturb communal harmony.’

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and other BJP leaders and saffron groups have extensively used the term ‘love jihad’ to target Muslims, falsely accusing Muslim men of engaging in a mass conspiracy to turn Hindu women away from their religion by loving them.

Earlier, during a rally in Jaunpur, an alert for love jihad was given by Yogi Adityanath. He said, “I warn those who conceal identity and play with our sisters’ respect. If you don’t mend your ways your ‘Ram naam satya’ (chant related with Hindu funerals) journey will begin.”

Last week, in a big blow to Yogi Adityanath government’s proposed law against love jihad Allahabad High Court held that the judgement which held ‘Religious conversion just for the purpose of marriage is unacceptable’ is not good law.

“Right to live with a person of his/her choice irrespective of religion professed by them, is intrinsic to right to life and personal liberty,” court said.

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