After evidences that an Islamic religious conversion racket termed ‘Love Jihad’ lured innocent girls in Kerala state, the Church has issued warnings urging parents and students to be cautious as well as conscientious on such campaigns.
The campaign allegedly carried out by Islamic radical outfits in campuses in the southern state, vies to entrap naive girls by luring them into marriage and later converting them to Islam in the pretext of love.
‘‘It’s shocking but it is happening. Many Christian families are getting affected,’’ said Father Johny Kochuparambil, secretary of Kerala Catholic Bishop Council’s Commission for Social Harmony and Vigilance.
According to reports, the case received more prominence after two female students in a Christian college - one Hindu and the other a Christian - fell victims to the ploy.
Ironically, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Christian groups have both agreed to unitedly fight against this conspiracy.
‘‘Both Hindu and Christian girls are falling prey to the design. So we are cooperating with the VHP on tackling this. We will work together to whatever extent possible,’’ K S Samson, an office-bearer of Kochi-based Christian Association for Social Action (CASA), a voluntary Christian association, told the Times of India.
Apparently the VHP has started a 'Hindu Helpline', and it claims to have received as many as 1,500 calls in last three months.
The Kerala High Court, meanwhile, has directed the Central and State governments to inquire into the alleged ‘Love Jihad’. It has also asked to inquire if the Islamic outfits were also involved in human trafficking, drug peddling and fake currency rackets.
Today, Kerala has the most number of Christians in one state in India accounting for 19 percent of the 31 million population, Hindus are majority with 56 percent, while 24 percentage Muslims, according to 2001 Census of India.
