Yogi: Tough law soon to check ‘love jehad’
Chief minister says land freed from mafia will be used to build houses for the poor
LUCKNOW : Chief minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday that his government would introduce stringent laws to prevent instances of ‘love jehad’ in the state. He also said that public land encroached upon by criminals and mafia would be used to build houses for the poor.
Yogi made the twin announcements while campaigning for his party candidates in Deoria and Malhani (Jaunpur) assembly seats due for the November 3 by-polls.
Referring to a recent observa
tion of the Allahabad high court that said that changing religion was not necessary for marriage, Adityanath said that his government would soon bring an effective law.
“Many of our sisters and daughters became victims of `love jehad’. They were deceived by people using forged names and identity,’’ he pointed out, making it clear that from now onwards, the government would ensure that this did not happen and those found involved in such practices would be dealt with strictly.
The term ‘love jehad’ coined by the BJP-VHP refers to Muslim men enticing gullible non-Muslim women.
The UP CM said his government was demolishing illegal properties of mafia elements in the state. “We will use the lands freed from mafia to build houses for the poor,’’ he said.
Targeting the Samajwadi Party, Adityanath alleged that the opposition party was attempting to instigate riots through mafia and goons. “They (SP) will not succeed in their plans and all those who even think of it will be sent to jail,” he said.
Adityanath called upon the people to shun those who supported and patronized criminals and mafia elements.
He also targeted the BSP, raising the issue of sale of sugar mills that took place under its regime.
“Instead of doing something worthwhile for the farmers, these people even sold off their sugar mills. How dare they show you their face and seek votes,’’ he asked.
He said his government’s mantra was driven by the ideology of `Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas.”
Yogi claimed that his government had provided employment to 30 lakh people, including migrants, and given jobs to about 3.50 lakh youths in the most transparent manner. He said the new investment which was coming to the state would generate more employment for the youths.
The CM also visited Varanasi, the Lok Sabha constituency of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reviewed the development works, including the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor. the age of 69 by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth in 2000 at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, he wore full Scottish dress including the green-and-black plaid kilt of his mother’s MacLeod clan.