The Uttar Pradesh government has denied the existence of “love jihad” in the State.
The government made the submission before the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday during the hearing of a public interest litigation petition.
The petition sought a ban on the word “love jihad,” saying it was spreading hatred and leading to communal polarisation. The Election Commission, the State government, Union Minister Kalraj Mishra and Yogi Adityanath, MP, have been made respondents.
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The Division Bench directed government counsel to file a reply within two weeks.
In the just-concluded by-elections in the State, certain Bharatiya Janata Party leaders openly spoke of “love jihad.” Firebrand MPs Yogi Adityanath and Harisakshi Maharaj alleged that “madrasas” and radical Muslim groups were encouraging Muslim youths to marry Hindu girls and then force their conversion. Political parties and social organisations have been criticising the BJP for promoting divisive politics.