Maharashtra Proposes 'Anti-Love Jihad' Law, Drawing Mixed Reactions

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis supports the law targeting fraudulent and forced conversions, while Union Minister Ramdas Athawale opposes labeling interfaith marriages as 'love jihad.'

• Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the formation of a seven-member committee to draft a law addressing alleged fraudulent marriages and forced conversions, commonly referred to as 'love jihad.'
• Fadnavis emphasized that interfaith marriages are not inherently problematic but stressed the need to act against deceitful alliances involving false identities or coercion.
• Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, an ally of the BJP, opposed the proposed law, arguing that it is wrong to label interfaith unions as 'love jihad' and calling for provisions to prevent forced conversions without disrupting social harmony.
• The proposed law has sparked divergent opinions, with supporters citing a rise in reported cases of fraudulent marriages in Maharashtra and critics warning of potential threats to personal freedom and interfaith relationships.
• The committee will study similar laws in other Indian states and recommend measures to address the issue, though no timeline for the legislation has been announced.

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