New Delhi, Jun 12 : BJP national secretary Pankaja Munde Sunday denied that ‘Love Jihad' was on the central government's agenda, stating that couples, who have come together “purely out of love”, should be “respected”. “I think love is love. Love sees no walls. If two people have come together purely out of love, it should be respected. But if there is some bitterness and artifice behind it, it should be seen differently. However, if a woman is tricked into an interfaith marriage, it should be seen differently,” Munde said. She added, “No such subject as ‘love jihad' has ever been on the agenda of the Modi government. The discussions are always centred on development and redevelopment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus is to put the country on the road to development and progress in the next 25 years.” Earlier, BJP leaders in state governments have spoken about taking action against ‘love jihad'. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier this month noted that instances of “love jihad” were on the rise in the state, adding, “We are concerned and will crack the whip.”
According to sources, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Chouhan on May 16 stated that his government had taken a “serious view” of ‘love jihad'. “I want to make it clear that neither love jihad nor the vicious cycle of religious conversion would be tolerated in the state,” he said.
