Second Indian state steps closer to enacting ‘Love Jihad’ law
SAURABH SHARMA LAWMAKERS in a central Indian state-controlled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party approved legislation on Tuesday that would make pressuring a woman to convert to their husband's religion a crime punishable with imprisonment. Although no religion is specified in the legislation, critics say it is aimed against the country's Muslim minority. Hardline Hindu groups have accused Muslim men of waging a campaign, dubbed a "Love Jihad", to lure Hindu women to Islam with promises of marriage. The Freedom of Religion Bill, 2020 will be enacted in Madhya Pradesh once it receives approval from the state's governor,…