MP may bring stringent ‘anti-love jihad’ law: CM

I will not allow the ‘love jihadists’ to use soil of Madhya Pradesh to carry out their nefarious activities. I will bring a very stringent law to pre-empt the love jihads in the state, if needed.

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Madhya Pradesh chief minister

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday indicated that the state government may bring a “stringent” anti-love jihad law to stop interfaith marriages held with an objective to convert the girls of a particular community.

Addressing a function held in Indore to observe the death anniversary of tribal leader Tatya Mama who fought against British, as “Sacrifice Day”, the chief minister said that he would not allow incidents of “love jihad” to happen in MP at any cost.

“I will not allow the ‘love jihadists’ to use soil of Madhya Pradesh to carry out their nefarious activities. I will bring a very stringent law to preempt the love jihads in the state, if needed,” he said. Mr Chouhan said that his government has undertaken several measures for the development of tribals.

He said that PESA (Panchayat Extension for Schedule Areas) Act has been implemented in 89 tribal-dominated development blocks of MP, which provides the right to water, forest and land to the tribal community. Mr Chouhan said that PESA Act would usher in development of tribals ensuring change in their lives.

He said that the migration from MP would be stopped following implementation of PESA.

Committees would be constituted in every village under the PESA Act. Gram sabhas will have full right to use water, forest and land of their village.