Maharashtra Govt Decides To Formulate Law Against Love Jahad Amid Controversies
The BJP-led Maharashtra government’s recent decision to establish a panel aimed at drafting a law to address cases of Love Jihad has sparked significant controversy. The move has been met with strong opposition, particularly from AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi, who took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his disapproval.
Owaisi questioned the necessity of such a law, arguing that it infringes upon the right to privacy. He criticized the Maharashtra government for focusing on interfaith marriages instead of other pressing governance matters. He further pointed out that even the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has acknowledged that there is no officially defined concept of Love Jihad, and several investigative agencies have dismissed it as a conspiracy theory.
Owaisi also highlighted that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) already criminalizes fraudulent marriage conducted under the pretense of hiding one’s religious identity. Additionally, forced religious conversions are already punishable under existing laws. He accused the government of acting as a paternalistic authority that unnecessarily intrudes into personal matters such as marriage, dietary habits, language preferences, residence, and religious beliefs. He insisted that the fundamental right to privacy includes the freedom to choose one’s spouse and religion.
While Owaisi correctly states that the right to marry and practice any religion is protected under the Indian Constitution, his claim that all interfaith marriages are purely consensual and free of coercion overlooks concerns raised by multiple quarters. His remarks reflect the broader argument made by liberal activists, media personalities, and legal experts who dismiss Love Jihad as a myth propagated by right-wing factions. However, those in favor of such laws argue that cases of Love Jihad involve deceit and coercion, rather than genuine interfaith unions.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has defended the state’s decision to propose this law, emphasizing the increasing instances of Love Jihad in Maharashtra. He clarified that interfaith marriages, when based on mutual consent, are not problematic. However, he argued that cases involving deception—where individuals conceal their religious identity to manipulate a partner into marriage and later abandon them—constitute a serious issue requiring stringent legal action.
Fadnavis cited a Supreme Court ruling that acknowledged the existence of Love Jihad and justified legal measures to address such cases. He pointed out that Maharashtra has witnessed a rise in such incidents, necessitating a focused approach. He explained that while interfaith marriages are entirely acceptable, cases involving fraud, identity misrepresentation, and subsequent abandonment need to be curbed through strict legal frameworks.
To tackle this issue, the Maharashtra government has formed a seven-member committee, led by the Director General of Police. The committee also includes representatives from the Women and Child Welfare Department, Minority Affairs, Law and Judiciary, Social Justice, and Special Assistance departments. This panel will examine the legal and administrative measures required to handle cases of Love Jihad and forced religious conversions effectively.
If Maharashtra enacts an anti-love Jihad and forced conversion law, it will join states such as Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, which have already implemented similar laws to prevent coercive religious conversions. Additionally, Rajasthan has taken steps in this direction, with the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led state government recently introducing the ‘Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill 2025’ during its budget session.
Rising Concerns Over Love Jihad Cases
Reports of alleged Love Jihad cases have surfaced across various states. Just last month, a minor Hindu girl in Sitapur village, located in the Mauganj district of Madhya Pradesh, was allegedly forced to convert to Islam by a man named Imam Ali Ansari. The victim’s family accused Ansari of manipulating and coercing their daughter into conversion, underscoring the concerns that proponents of anti-conversion laws seek to address.
With debates intensifying on both sides of the spectrum, the issue of Love Jihad remains a contentious topic in Indian political and social discourse. The Maharashtra government’s proposal has reignited discussions on personal freedom, religious autonomy, and the role of the state in regulating personal relationships.
