[Reader-list] Kerala CM reignites 'love jihad' theory

[Pawan Durani]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kerala-CM-reignites-love-jihad-theory/articleshow/6216779.cms

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister V S Achutanandan's charge
that the Popular Front of India (PFI), which allegedly masterminded
the Taliban-style attack on a college lecturer, had plans to Islamize
Kerala in 20 years using "money and marriages" has reignited the "love
jihad' controversy, hotly debated in the state last year.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi on Saturday, VS said PFI was trying
to multiply Muslim numbers in the state "by influencing youth of other
religions and converting them by giving money, marrying them to Muslim
women and thus producing kids of the community." In a way, the CM was
endorsing the concerns expressed by the Kerala high court, which in
August 2009, asked the state police to probe if there was an organised
racket working to lure youth for conversion using love and money.

The HC order followed allegations levelled by two girls that they were
lured using love by boys who later tried to expose them to jihadi
literature and sexual abuse by their friends. The judge called for a
probe inviting protests from Muslim groups. Both, the Viswa Hindu
Parishad and Church, however, found substance in the charges and
produced their own assessment of the situation and even joined hands
to combat it. Police initially told the HC that "there are reasons to
suspect concerted efforts to persuade girls to change their religion
after they fall in love with Muslim boys" but then the probe trailed.

Later, another bench of the HC stayed the investigation.

Reacting to VS's statement, PFI state unit president Nasaruddeen
Elamaram said: "These are baseless charges which were examined and
already rejected by the courts." BJP Mahila Morcha leader Sobha
Surendran, however, doubted the CM's sincerity.