Probe into complaints of missing girls indicate ‘love jihad’ cases on rise in Maharashtra: Fadnavis

Underlining the state government's commitment to bring in legislation to tackle growing instances of atrocities on women through "love jihad", Fadnavis said, "Maharashtra is among the few states which have been able to identify cases of missing girls."

Talking to reporters at Sahayadri Guest House in Mumbai, the minister said, "Instances of innocent girls being lured into inter-religious marriages and (subsequent) exploitation are coming to light. We are concerned and will crack the whip." (Photo : File)

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Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Saturday said instances of “love jihad” were on the rise in the state as revealed by investigations into complaints of missing girls.

Talking to reporters at Sahayadri Guest House in Mumbai, the minister said, “Instances of innocent girls being lured into inter-religious marriages and (subsequent) exploitation are coming to light. We are concerned and will crack the whip.”

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Underlining the state government’s commitment to bring in legislation to tackle growing instances of atrocities on women through “love jihad”, Fadnavis said, “Maharashtra is among the few states which have been able to identify cases of missing girls.”

Probe into such complaints has shown that “cases of what is called ‘love jihad’ are rising,” he added. Emphasising that such missing cases are taken very seriously, Fadnavis said, “The detection rate is up to 90 to 95 per cent. Yet, I agree more efforts will have to be put to stop such exploitation of innocent girls.”

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Speaking further on legislation against “love jihad”, Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio added, “Several states are working on it. We will study all aspects and how other states are doing it.”

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