Giriraj Singh targets Owaisi over ‘Love Jihad’

Bharatiya Janata Party firebrand leader and Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi for demanding “clear definitions and concrete data” on the issue of ‘love jihad’. Singh also questioned Owaisi’s mindset for stating that “the likes and dislikes of adult individuals are legally valid and should not be interfered with.”

Speaking to journalists in Patna, Singh alleged that Owaisi’s mindset was linked to various forms of “jihad”, including ‘love jihad’, ‘land jihad’ and ‘spit jihad’, which he claimed were being carried out regularly as part of a broader conspiracy.

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Responding to the AIMIM leader’s demand that data on ‘love jihad’ be presented in Parliament, the BJP MP from Begusarai said that Owaisi should begin by presenting such data from Hyderabad.

Singh asserted that the issue was not merely about love, but part of what he described as a well-planned preparation for ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’.

“There is a series of jihads—‘love jihad’, ‘land jihad’, ‘spit jihad’—which are part of a planned ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’. This is a well-thought-out strategy. Owaisi’s mindset is connected to that jihad. But in India, even if the spirit of Jinnah enters someone, the country will not be divided again,” Singh said.

The issue of ‘love jihad’ was earlier raised by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday. Addressing the ‘Stree Shakti Samvad’ programme in Bhopal, Bhagwat said that incidents like ‘love jihad’ could be prevented by strengthening communication within families. He emphasised that regular dialogue at home and within families would automatically help keep such issues in check.

Reacting to the RSS chief’s remarks, Owaisi said, “If an adult is making their own decision, our likes or dislikes do not matter. If ‘love jihad’ is happening, why don’t they (the BJP) present the data in Parliament? Show records of ‘love jihad’ cases from whichever states you (the BJP) govern. They should explain what ‘love jihad’ actually is. The youth of this country need jobs, and you are diverting them elsewhere.”

Meanwhile, Giriraj Singh also responded to allegations made by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind president Maulana Arshad Madani, who had claimed that the Central government intends to change the Constitution. The Union Minister said that the Centre wants to strengthen India’s identity, while alleging that Madani wants to introduce Sharia law in the country.