Goa CM bats for anti-conversion law to curb ‘love jihad’ cases

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday told the state assembly that it was time for Goa to introduce an anti-conversion law, similar to those enacted in states like Uttar Pradesh, to counter alleged instances of ‘love jihad’.

Sawant claimed there had been several such cases in the state in the past and said he would soon release official data. “We need to bring in the anti-conversion law, and all of you from Congress need to support it,” he stated. His remarks followed criticism from the opposition regarding the Goa Police’s failure to locate a woman named Ayesha, who was recently arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police in connection with an anti-conversion case.

The proposal was sharply opposed by Vijai Sardesai, Fatorda MLA and leader of the Goa Forward Party, who accused the Chief Minister of trying to impose a national party agenda on Goa. “There are no cases of love jihad in Goa. He should give the number of such cases. We are diverting from the issue of a transnational network, which also saw activities from Goa. No Goans live in Aldeia de Goa (a gated complex where accused Ayesha's parents rented a flat) and nobody knows what the residents there are up to,” Sardesai said.


Sawant clarified that the law, if implemented, would only target forced conversions and not consensual interfaith marriages. “Conversion should not take place by offering lures like money, etc.,” he added.

[With TOI inputs]