Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Defends Interfaith Marriages, Calls for Action Against Matrimonial Fraud

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday clarified that there is nothing wrong with interfaith marriages, but emphasized the need for strict measures against fraudulent matrimonial alliances involving deceitful practices and false identities. He highlighted the rising trend of women being abandoned after marriage and childbirth, stressing the importance of addressing such cases where lies and manipulation are involved.

Fadnavis had recently promised to soon enact a law to prevent forced conversions, especially "love jihad." "It is a reality, and in Maharashtra, incidents of being duped into marriage and then abandoned once children are born are on the rise. It is not right to deliberately lie. Therefore, whatever action is required in this regard will be taken by the state government," the BJP leader told reporters in Nagpur.

Fadnavis stated that the state government cannot remain passive in the face of such frauds and would take necessary steps to protect victims. He also reiterated his earlier promise to introduce a law aimed at preventing forced conversions, particularly in cases associated with "love jihad" – a term used by right-wing groups alleging a conspiracy to convert Hindu women to Islam through marriage.

The Chief Minister further referred to statements by the Supreme Court and Kerala High Court, which acknowledged the reality of "love jihad" in certain incidents, particularly in Maharashtra, where cases of deception followed by abandonment have been increasing.