Daijiworld Media Network - Kochi (SP)

Kochi, Jan 16: The Catholic Church of Kerala has lent credence to the persistent claims of Hindu organizations about the conspiracy of converting girls from other religions into Islam through what has come to be known as 'Love Jihad'.

In a press statement, Syro Malabar Synod here claimed that Christian ladies are being murdered or used for carrying out terrorist activities by the extremist groups. The Synod, chaired by Cardinal George Alencherry, stated that 50 percent out of 21 Indians who joined ISIS from Kerala were people of Christian origin who had converted into Islam. He said that many people whose names are not in official records are being converted to use them to undertake terrorism. He asserted that 'Love Jihad' is not imaginary and that it is harming the secular fabric of the society.

Cardinal George Alencherry

The Synod, which is an organization of Catholic Bishops, met and took serious note of the fact that a cartel that is working to convince Christian girls to join terrorist organization, ISIS, has become very active. The priests noted with concern that Kerala police department is not taking this issue with the seriousness it deserves.

The Church said that 'Love Jihad', which is being expanded everywhere, is giving rise to enmity between different communities in the state. It dismissed the notion that Love Jihad is imaginary. The concerns were raised by the Synod in an official communique released by the Media Commission of the Syro Malabar Church by Fr Antony Thalachelloor.

Reacting to the allegation, Popular Front India dismissed the charge as baseless. It also said that the timing of the allegation has given rise to suspicion about the intentions of the concerned.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which has welcomed the move by the Church, has called it upon to join hands with VHP for organizing united fight against Love Jihad. VHP Kerala unit former president S J R Kumar, noted that when Hindu organizations raised this topic in the past, no one supported it. He said that the Church has done the right thing by raising the topic at least now.