This is an archive article published on March 28, 2021
In Kerala, Left parties’ ally raises ‘love jihad’ issue
Jose K Mani, the chairman of regional Christian party and LDF ally Kerala Congress (M), Sunday raked up the alleged “love jihad” issue in comments that could spark controversy in the ruling left alliance ahead of the Assembly election.
2 min readThiruvananthapuramMar 28, 2021 11:00 PM IST
At a TV programme, Mani, who is contesting from Pala constituency in Kottayam, said: "‘Love jihad’ has again come up as an issue. Society has apprehensions about it. As the issue has emerged again, the apprehensions about it should be cleared." (Photo: Facebook @Jose K Mani)
Jose K Mani, the chairman of regional Christian party and LDF ally Kerala Congress (M), Sunday raked up the alleged “love jihad” issue in comments that could spark controversy in the ruling left alliance ahead of the Assembly election.
At a TV programme, Mani, who is contesting from Pala constituency in Kottayam, said: “‘Love jihad’ has again come up as an issue. Society has apprehensions about it. As the issue has emerged again, the apprehensions about it should be cleared.”
In Pala constituency, which has a sizable chunk of Catholic votes, Jose is taking on sitting legislator and NCP (Kerala) leader Mani C Kappan. The Catholic Church in Kerala has consistently raised the alleged issue of “love jihad” and sought the support of BJP on this. Mani’s reference to the issue is being seen as an attempt to improve his prospects in Pala, where he faces a stiff challenge from Kappan.
Last week, the BJP manifesto had promised a ‘love jihad’ legislation. None of the parties in either the LDF or the opposition UDF has openly raised the issue.
After Uttar Pradesh brought in a law on this, the CPI (M) had deplored the move. CPI (M) state secretary and LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan had stated that “love jihad” is a concept being highlighted by forces of extreme Hindutva.
Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India.
Expertise, Experience, and Authority
Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment.
Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes:
Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration.
Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules.
Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More
