JD(U) must support us in bringing law against love jihad: BJP

Asserting that Bihar government must bring a law against love jihad, BJP leader Prem Ranjan Patel said that JD(U) must back the saffron party in promulgating an ordinance against anti-conversions.

Patna: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Prem Ranjan Patel on Friday favoured enactment of legislation in Bihar against anti-conversion law, adding that its ally Janata Dal-United (JDU) should favour the law. The senior party member also asserted that anti-conversion law is needed in Bihar just like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh did.

Talking to ETV Bharat, he said, "There is a need to curb forced religious conversions and innocent girls are forced to convert using fraudulent means. This menace needs to be rooted out and it will be desirable if Bihar comes out with legislation to prevent love jihad. BJP is concerned about the safety of women and nobody has the right to force conversions on someone on the pretext of getting married or in the name of love."

Asked about if JD(U) will support it or not, the leader reiterated that its ally should back the law and must help BJP to bring in a tough law to curb this menace. This is the need of the hour.

"JD(U) and BJP had locked horns on abrogation of article 370, 35A, triple talaq and CAA. But when BJP enacted these laws, JD(U) supported the saffron party and latter should also do the same in case of love jihad," the senior leader added.

Earlier, Union Minister Giriraj Singh also stated that Bihar must bring a law against love jihad, terming it as 'a menace in states across the country'.

However, JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi had clearly said that an atmosphere of hatred & division is being created in the country in the name of 'love jihad'. Tyagi stated that provisions of the Constitution & CrPC give freedom to two adults to choose life partners of their choice irrespective of one's religion or caste.