VHP calls for govt’s intervention over ‘love jihad’ in Kerala

Kochi: Alleging that Kerala is turning into a hub of ‘love jihad', Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international organising secretary Milind Parande on Saturday called for urgent intervention from both the central and state govts.Addressing a press conference at the organisation's Pavakkulam office in Kochi, Parande said a formal complaint would be submitted to the Centre highlighting the issue. He alleged that there was a rise in what he described as ‘new methods of jihad' targeting Hindus, followed by religious conversions, and claimed that the issue has taken a nationwide dimension, with Kerala among the most affected. Parande also raised concerns over a case involving an alleged minor girl from a Scheduled Tribe community who arrived in Kerala from Madhya Pradesh to get married to a Muslim man from Uttar Pradesh. Referring to allegations made by the girl's parents, he claimed the alleged minor was abducted. "The victim doesn't belong to Kerala, and the man comes from Uttar Pradesh. Why did they feel safe to come here and marry," he asked. He further alleged that during Vishu, some ‘Muslim-owned' establishments circulated posters depicting Lord Krishna consuming non-vegetarian food, calling it an intentional insult to Hindu sentiments. He criticised state govt for registering cases against those who protested against it. Responding to a statement by Fr Paul Thelakkadan of Syro-Malabar Church while talking about Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment that Hindu temples hoard money while Christian churches use money to do service to people, he said the purpose of FCRA bill is to ensure that the donations are not misused and alleged that the purpose of church-run schools and hospitals in most places in India, including Kerala, is religious conversions. "He has the right to criticise FCRA bill, but there is no need to bring in the name of Hindu temples. Hindu temples are not undertaking any conversion activities, but it is the missionary institutions that are undertaking such illegal activities," he said. He also criticised alleged govt interference in temple administration and said efforts would be made to ‘liberate' temples from state control. VHP state secretary Anil Vilayil criticised the implementation of Justice Benjamin Koshy Commission report, alleging it encourages religious conversions.