Karnataka will put an end to religious conversion in the name of ‘love jihad’: CM Yediyurappa

November 6, 2020

Echoing his counterparts in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Thursday said the state government will introduce strong measures to curb religious conversions due to “love jihad”.

“There are many reports about conversions due to love jihad. I don’t know about other states, but in Karnataka we are going to end this. We are viewing the luring of girls with the use of money or love as something serious. We will take stern measures,” Yediyurappa said at the state executive meeting of the BJP in Mangaluru on Thursday.
Earlier, BJP’s national general secretary and state minister C T Ravi called for enacting a strict law against “love jihad”.
“On lines of Allahabad High Court’s order, Karnataka will enact a law banning religious conversions for the sake of marriage. We will not remain silent when Jihadis strip the dignity of Our Sisters. Anyone involved in the act of conversion shall face severe & swift punishment,” he said on social media Tuesday.

Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, “This issue of love jihad has been around for some time and it is a social evil. The thinking is that a law is necessary.”
The move comes amid speculation that Yediyurappa could be replaced as Chief Minister owing to allegations of corruption and nepotism against him, and his advancing age.
Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and former CM Siddaramaiah claimed in a social media post Wednesday,