Law against ‘Love Jihad’ will be enacted in the State : Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Shraddha Walkar murder to be investigated by a special team

Nagpur (Maharashtra) – “Why was no action taken in the Shraddha Walkar murder case despite filing a complaint with the Police ? Was there any pressure on Shraddha Walkar to withdraw the complaint ? Was there political pressure on the Police ? All these aspects will be investigated by a special team”, announced Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis in the Legislative Assembly on 20^th December.

BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar had submitted a special notice in this regard in the Legislative Assembly. BJP MLA Adv. Ashish Shelar demanded a special team to investigate the matter. The Home Minister made the above announcement in response.

MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar had also asked if the Government is going to enact a law against ‘Love Jihad’ and conversions to prevent such crimes.
Ajit Pawar, Leader of Opposition, supported the demand to appoint a special team for enquiry. The case should be taken up by a Fast-Track Court and the enquiry report should be submitted in the coming budget session, Pawar said.

The Home Minister assured the House saying, “We will request the Union Home Minister to take this matter up in the Fast Track Court”. He added :

1. I have learnt the entire sequence of events from Shraddha’s father. How can a man be so cruel as to keep the pieces of his girlfriend in the refrigerator, and takes soft drinks from it ?

Where does this mindset come from ? Investigations so far have not revealed any political pressure in the case, but the withdrawal of the complaint will be investigated. It is true that the complaint has not been withdrawn simply.

2. The complaint was withdrawn after a month, so why didn’t the Police take action till then ? To avoid similar incidents, investigation will be carried out in future if a woman lodges a complaint and action is not taken due to some pressure.

We should accept the existence of ‘Love Jihad’ : Devendra Fadnavis

15 organisations in Maharashtra have taken out 40 marches in various Districts and demanded a strict law against ‘Love Jihad’. It has been found that this conspiracy is indeed afoot. Many incidents of little girls being abused are coming to light. Hence, laws against this have also been enacted in other States.

I would like to mention that even though Kerala has a Communist Chief Minister, the Police there have given the name of ‘Love Jihad’ to such cases. It is not about targeting any religion, but we have to accept this reality. We are studying the States which have enacted laws against ‘Love Jihad’. If the laws made by other States are effective, the Maharashtra Government will certainly enact such laws. The policy of the State Government is that no woman should be cheated under any circumstances.