Maharashtra government forms panel to draft 'love jihad' law: Reports
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has constituted a seven-member committee to draft a law against ‘love jihad,’ as per reports. The panel, headed by Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla, will examine legal and technical aspects related to alleged cases of forced religious conversions and interfaith relationships.
The decision follows similar laws enacted in states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The committee includes officials from the women and child development, minority development, law and judiciary, social justice, special assistance, and home affairs departments.
According to a government resolution, the panel will assess the current situation, review legal frameworks in other states, and suggest legal provisions for Maharashtra. The resolution also states that public representatives, social organisations, and citizens have submitted complaints demanding legal measures against 'love jihad' and fraudulent conversions.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis has been vocal about the need for such a law, claiming that over one lakh complaints of forced conversions have been received. He has alleged that a conspiracy is at play, where Hindu women are being deceived into marriages by Muslim men using fake identities.
The move has sparked debate, with supporters arguing that it will protect women from coercion, while critics view it as an attempt to police interfaith relationships and target specific communities. Similar laws in other states have faced legal and social scrutiny over concerns of misuse and infringement on individual freedoms.
The committee has not been given a specific timeline to submit its report, but its findings and recommendations will determine the state’s course of action.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
