Hitting out at the BJP over the issue of 'love jihad', All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Asaduddin Owaisi pointed out that nowhere in the Constitution there is a definition of the term 'love jihad'.
According to news agency ANI, the AIMIM leader said BJP ruled states are making a mockery of the Constitution through 'love jihad' laws.
The Madhya Pradesh government, on Tuesday, approved the Freedom to Religion Bill 2020 as an ordinance in a special cabinet session, after which it was sent to the governor for her nod. The proposed law on religious conversion stipulates jail term of up to 10 years for violators. "This law will prevent innocent girls being forcefully converted on pretext of marriage," said MP Home Minister Narottam Mishra. The bill in some ways is similar to an Ordinance notified by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh last month.
Owaisi said courts have reiterated that under the constitution of India, under Article 21, 14 & 25, no government has any role to play in the personal life of any Indian citizen and accused the saffron party of "indulging in violating fundamental rights of the Constitution."
Further, the AIMIM chief said if the BJP governed states want to make a law, they should make one for MSP (Minimum Support Price) and for providing employment.
Courts have reiterated that under the constitution of India, under Article 21, 14 & 25, no govt has any role to play in the personal life of any Indian citizen...BJP is clearly indulging in violating fundamental rights of the Constitution: AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi on Love Jihad https://t.co/lSVrPxIKvE pic.twitter.com/NO3IOqXDQd
— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2020
In November, the BJP had termed 'love jihad' a "serious problem" and backed the decision of its state governments to enact laws against it. "Love jihad is a serious problem. Many mothers and sisters have suffered its bad consequences. This is a state matter and state governments should enact law against it," BJP general secretary Arun Singh had said.
—With PTI inputs
