February 15, 2025: The Maharashtra government has set up a seven-member committee to examine the legal framework for a potential law against forced religious conversions and cases of "love jihad." The panel, led by the state's Director General of Police (DGP) Sanjay Verma, comprises senior officials from key government departments, including women and child welfare, minority affairs, law and judiciary, social justice, special assistance, and home.
According to a Government Resolution (GR) issued on Friday, the committee has been tasked with studying existing laws in other states and suggesting legal measures to curb forced conversions. It will also address complaints related to "love jihad," a term often used to allege that Muslim men coerce Hindu women into conversion through marriage. The issue has gained traction in Maharashtra, especially after the high-profile Shraddha Walkar case, where the 27-year-old woman was allegedly murdered and dismembered by her live-in partner Aaftab Poonawala in 2022.
The decision to form the committee has sparked a political uproar, with opposition leaders criticizing the move as an attempt to shift focus from more pressing issues. NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Supriya Sule questioned the government's priorities, stating that matters like economic challenges and international trade policies should take precedence over regulating personal choices. She argued that love and marriage are individual rights and should not be politicized.
Samajwadi Party MLA Abu Azmi also condemned the government’s move, accusing it of targeting Muslims and stoking communal tensions. He pointed out that while the ruling party supports live-in relationships, it opposes interfaith marriages and voluntary conversions. Congress leader Husain Dalwai dismissed the idea of "love jihad" altogether, asserting that forced conversions are a myth and that India’s secular fabric allows individuals to follow any religion of their choice. He warned that such laws could pave the way for authoritarian rule, likening them to historical instances of oppression.
On the other hand, the BJP has strongly defended the committee’s formation. Party MLA Mangal Lodha cited the Walkar case as an example of rising instances of "love jihad," insisting that legislative action is necessary to protect women from such situations. He accused the opposition of turning a blind eye to the issue and ignoring cases where women were allegedly exploited in interfaith relationships.
With the committee now in place, its recommendations are expected in the coming weeks. The findings could potentially lead to the introduction of a new law in Maharashtra, adding to the list of states that have already implemented similar legislation. However, given the sharp political divide on the issue, the debate over "love jihad" and religious conversions is unlikely to die down anytime soon.