Don’t Dare To Trap Hindu Women: CM

Following a recent ruling by the Allahabad High Court which stated that religious conversion for the sake of marriage was unacceptable and not valid, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath warned those waging “love jihad” to mend their ways or be prepared for their last journey, “Ram naam satya hai ki yatra nikalne waali hai”.

He threatened those who conceal their identity and play with the respect of Hindu women. Further, he said that the state government will bring a law to curb “love jihad”. The Allahabad HC held that conversion of religion just for the purpose of marriage is not legal.

The UP Chief Minister was speaking in Malhani (Jaunpur) where a bye-election will be held for an Assembly seat on November 3. Reminding about the HC ruling on religious conversion, he said: “It should not be done, it should not be accepted or recognised. The government too is in the process of deciding tough measures to end love jihad.”

“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.

He said that the UP government had launched Mission Shakti programme which was meant to guarantee security to each person, each sister. “If someone does a wrong deed, then Operation Shakti is ready. Operation Shakti’s objective is to ensure the security and honour of sisters and daughters,” he said.

The Allahabad HC gave the ruling while dismissing a plea of a couple of different religions. It also cited the Noor Jahan Begum’s case decision.

It may be recalled that the Yogi Adityanath government is facing criticism for a spate of horrific crimes against women – including two separate instances of alleged rape against Dalit women in September .

Close on the heels of a 19-year-old Dalit girl being raped allegedly by men of upper caste in Hathras district, another Dalit woman was gangraped and killed in Balrampur district in UP.

“Love jihad” is the term used by right-wing groups to target relationships between Muslim men and Hindu women, which, they say, is an elaborate ruse to forcibly convert the women.

It is also a term that the government has disowned. In February, the government told the Parliament the term was not defined under existing laws and no case had been reported by any central agency.