L40 Religion

- #[[inter-faith marriages]] https://thewire.in/women/the-dangerous-agenda-behind-probing-interfaith-marriages  
- https://thewire.in/government/maha-govt-sets-up-panel-to-collect-details-on-couples-in-inter-caste-interfaith-marriages  Flavia Agnes The panel, named ‘Interfaith marriage-family coordination committee (state level)’, will be headed by the women and child development minister, who is a vocal Bharatiya Janata Party leader from Mumbai’s rich constituency of Malabar Hill, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who is well known for his anti-Muslim views. Initially the panel was to probe both inter-caste and interfaith marriages, but the government resolution (GR) was amended quickly due to opposition from various political parties as Maharashtra has a policy of encouraging inter-caste marriages. So the word ‘inter-caste’ was dropped and now the panel will probe only interfaith marriages
- the current issue of Interfaith relationship GR of maharashtra govt and Dy CM talking about legislation to be brought in this context. BD: What is the actual number of cheating cases in interfaith marriages?
- LJ: the SMA notice provision and online display of prospective marriages in Maharashtra needs to be urgently challenged.
- LJ: It is an attack on right to choice, autonomy, marriage and constitutional violation. the issue of right to choice in addition to the secular dimension.
- autonomy and gender equality perspective,
- SG: Would like to make the following general points.
I. The GR has to be opposed primarily on the ground that it tantamounts to invasion of privacy -- an acknowledged fundamental right.
II. the GR could be a smokescreen. As a far better way of serving that purpose would be to make a helpline number easily accessible and available -- ready to offer effective assistance. Even when help is sought anonymously. This may be further backed up with numerous -- easily accessible and friendly -- physical counselling centres. This alternative approach largely obviates the threat of invasion of privacy.
III. That the track record of the political forces spearheading the move of carrying out the Love Jehad campaign does grave doubts about the real intentions.
Demand that the GR may be immediately withdrawn. The Woman and Child Welfare department should hold widespread constructive consultations with the stakeholders including CSOs working in this field before making the next move.
- LJ: Those in inter faith marriages are at risk right now, younger couples who are not public will be exposed. Most hindu-muslim couples I know are keeping low profile out of fear of harassment. a couple has deferred their marriage due to the SMA notice period and online notice in Mumbai. CS Young muslim men are the ones being demonised. How they are experiencing it. Also this is being made into a women's issue which it is not
- Love azad Campaign was in response to love jihad following the tanishq ad controversy
- BD: Are interfaith marriages only about Hindus and Muslims? Don't we want to broaden the discourse and not fall into their trap. Finally this is the right to choose, privacy, etc. The macro context must be woven into the narrative
- But this is an attack on Muslim men, infantalisation of hindu women. Love jihad has a specific construct, entrenched in islamophobia. We should talk about difficulties in all interfaith marriages, but we should address this as well.
- A small bit to add, while it might not directly now relate Maharashtra commitee: Christian community leaders in Madhya Pradesh too expressed their concern of love-jihad, incidentally they are from Kerala and TN in a conversation. The love jihad bogey plays differently statewise and is as nuanced. In MP and other tribal states it's dovetails in allegations of land jihad, marrying tribal women to usurp tribal land.
- AA: Everything impacts men and women differently. Including religion and religious conversion. Behind all this is the rigidities of birth religion and patriarchy. An Anglo India who is an atheist. Maybe, but when it comes to marriage, he will be assigned to the religion he was born in. It impacts property issues. LJ: In addition to family and community which have been rigid and oppressive, we now have the state actively impeding inter faith marriages and criminalising minorities, thereby emboldening the non state actors, including the right wing vigilante. That they are doing this through policy is not just a violation but an attack on the constitution itself which gives us the right to choice, equality, protection from non discrimination and all other rights that come with it.
- The communal narrative and existing legal experiences that is coming alongside is indicative of who it is targetted towards.