Haryana CM says Centre looking to check 'love jihad' cases

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, CM Khattar said that the central government and several states are exploring legal provisions to tackle 'love jihad'.

He said, "Even the Centre is looking for ways to check 'love jihad' cases. Every state is exploring legal ways to tackle it. We are also discussing but we will ensure no innocent is falsely framed."

The focus on such cases has sharpened after a recent incident in Haryana's Ballabgarh, where a Muslim man shot dead a Hindu woman for rejecting his advances, drawing intense backlash.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday vowed to introduce a strict law to curb 'love jihad'.

He also issued death threats to those who conceal their religious identity to deceive women.

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij told ANI on Sunday, "It is necessary to cure [love jihad] so we can save young girls. If we have to pass a law to do this, or do something else, we will."

Vij later tweeted that a law against 'love jihad' is being considered by the state government.

Haryana's Assembly session is scheduled to start on November 5.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam has also launched a campaign against 'love jihad' ahead of the state polls next year.

Recently, the National Commission for Women chief Rekha Sharma had also met Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari over the "rise in love jihad cases." The meeting followed protests against a recent Tanishq advertisement, which was accused of glorifying 'love jihad'.