Public representations demand enactment of a strict anti-love jihad Law in the ongoing Winter session of the Assembly
Maharashtra: In view of rising incidents of ‘Love jihad’ across Maharashtra, more than 160 Hindu organisations from 20 districts have demanded that the state government pass a stringent ‘Anti–Love jihad Law’ during the ongoing winter session of the Assembly. Over 1,600 activists and nationalist citizens participated in this statewide campaign, stressing the need for strong legal measures in Maharashtra on the lines of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to ensure the safety of women. This information was shared by Shri. Sunil Ghanwat, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh State coordinator.
Thousands of citizens, including large numbers of women, held rallies, meetings, and memorandum drives in 20 districts, including Mumbai, Jalgaon, Dhule, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Ahilyanagar, Akola, Amravati, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Satara, Pune, Solapur, Nashik, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg. Through these efforts, memoranda were submitted to district and taluka administrations, local representatives, the Governor, the Chief Minister, and the Home Department.
The memoranda cited several grave incidents, including the gang assault of a 7th-grade girl in Nagar, the rape of a 6-year-old in Kolhapur–Ichalkaranji, the sexual assault of a 14-year-old in Shahuwadi, and the murders of Shraddha Walkar, Rupali Chandanshive, and Tanushree Sharma. The organisations emphasised that such cases are not isolated crimes but part of a coordinated and deliberate conspiracy. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Uttarakhand have already enforced laws to prevent forced religious conversions and deceitful marriages. In line with these, organisations in Maharashtra have demanded a stringent law with the following provisions:
- Punishment extending up to life imprisonment.
- The offence to be made cognisable and non-bailable.
- The right to file a complaint to be granted to the victim as well as any citizen.
- Establishment of a special police unit along with a Ranragini women’s task force to prevent such crimes.
Campaign Convener Shri. Sunil Ghanwat stated, “This is not merely a demand for legislation — it is a question of the safety and dignity of Maharashtra’s daughters. If such laws have brought effective results in other states, they must be enacted in Maharashtra at the earliest.”
Leaders assure support for laws on love jihad and land grabbing
Representations for the proposed Anti–Love Jihad Law and the Anti–Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act were submitted to several legislators and ministers across Maharashtra. Minister Gulabrao Patil, MLAs Amol Jawale, Suresh Bhole, Anup Agrawal, Pravin Datke, Krishnaji Khopde, Guardian Minister Jaykumar Gore, Vijaykumar Deshmukh, Subhash Deshmukh, Devendra Kothe, Kishor Jorgewar, Karan Devtale, Deorao Bhongle, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Vikramsingh Patpute and MP Anup Dhote expressed their support. Many assured that they would raise the matter in the legislative assembly, while some also committed to writing to the Chief Minister. The overall response from the representatives was constructive and supportive of the proposed laws.
HJS submits memorandum to Ratnagiri District Collector
Ratnagiri: The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti submitted a memorandum to the District Collector on 9 December demanding that the Maharashtra Government pass a strict anti–Love Jihad law in the ongoing winter session. Deputy Collector Vishwajit Gatade accepted the memorandum.
The memorandum cites NCRB data stating that from 2016–2023, about 16.10 lakh women and girls went missing nationwide. It refers to Kerala High Court proceedings from 15 years ago as evidence that Love Jihad is an organized conspiracy. It states that crimes like forced conversion, fraud, and sexual exploitation of minor girls are difficult to curb, and therefore an anti–Love Jihad law must be enacted.
Representatives including Govind Bharadwaj, Mrs. Shubhangi Mulye, Mrs. Asmita Sardesai, Mrs. Manisha Bamne, and others, along with 30 Hindutva supporters, were present.
