Web of Love

Love ceases to be “blind” when one party see religion

'Love Jihad' racket: VHP, Christian groups find common cause” reports Times Of India Delhi Edition October 13, 2009 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Love-Jihad-racket-VHP-Christian-groups-find-common-cause/articleshow/5117548.cms

“Love Jihad: luring girls online and forcing them to convert to Islam” reports Asianews.it. http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=16507&size=A

Hindu groups were always blamed for criticising such devises adopted by religious groups. It is surprising to see Christian groups are now opposing “Love Jihad” because Christian girls are now being converted in the name of religion. To the best of my understanding, Christians were also following similar tactics/practices.

At least some Hindus have been under a belief (rightly or wrongly) that Christians were doing similar organised actions for conversion.

The mala-fide intention, is not visible when the boy/girl of one religion chases girl/boy of another religion. Not till “love” is deep enough. Once the bait is taken, then religion becomes an issue, which leads to social and emotional blackmailing leading to forceful conversion,  otherwise heart break and social stigma of being the ‘X’ of the person from another religion.

Evenafter getting married under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 (popularly known as ‘court marriage’ or ‘registered marriage’) pressure of conversion remains and applied from time to time. Admission of the 1st child in a good school is a time when ‘quota’ for those in the religious group running becomes handy to enforce conversion. Then there will be parental pressure.

True love will not see religion at any point in time. Most of the girls fall prey to “love jihad” without an iota for understanding about the Personnel Law. How the children custody is decided, who will have custody of children if the husband dies, what is the law of inheritance etc. As a lawyer I have come across one matter in which a Hindu girl who got converted to marry a Muslim boy had to face such problems like child custody and inheritance when her husband died in a road accident.

If ‘love is blind’, why should the lovers see religion. Why not get married under the religion neutral laws like the Special Marriage Act, 1954. This Act may have its critics. But till we have a common civil code to deal with all sections of the society, the only ray of hope is the Special Marriage Act, 1954.

I am not a moment criticising those genuine people who have fallen in love, got married beyond their religious rituals and continue to be in love, without making conversion of either an issue. Their children too have the freedom to choose their way of worshipping the ALMIGHTY.

But when conversion is an issue in marriage the matter should be looked into deeply to avoid conflicts.