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Love Jihad: Are women easy target for Muslim extremists in Kerala?

  • The intelligence report states that over 5000 persons were converted to Islam between 2011-15
  • Number of conversions at other centres might be even more and over 1000 persons were converted in a month
  • As per the report half of the converts are women and over 76%s are below 35 years and
Conversion rates on the high in Kerala police report

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case in the alleged forced conversion and marriage of a Hindu Girl to Islam. The fresh First Information Report (FIR) submitted has named Aboobecker, the father of Hadiya's friend Jesna, as first accused. 

Read: Hadiya case: NIA files FIR after Supreme Court directive

He had been charged under the various provision of the Indian Penal Code including Section 153 A, for promoting enmity between different religious groups. 

Meanwhile, Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said that in a month about 1000 people were converted at a centre in Malappuram. He also states that it was the state police chief and Chief Secretary who informed him about this. 

Read more: Reports prove Hindus, Christians converted to Muslims in Malappuram, alleges Union minister 

Even the NIA had reported to Supreme Court that there is a pattern going on in the state along with the issue of 'love jihad.' A 2016 report of Times of India had stated that over 5000 persons were converted to Islam during 2011-15 in Kerala. 

An intelligence report submitted to state police chief in February has recognised that two religious conversion centres in Kozhikode and Malappuram have converted as many as 5,793 persons to Islam between 2011-15. A higher official, who do not wish to reveal his identity stated that conversions happening in other centres might be even higher, reports Times of India. 

As per the intelligence report almost half of the converts were women and of them, 76% were below 35 years. Of the converts, 4,719 were Hindus while 1,074 were Christians. These people were converted at Tharbiyathul Islam Sabha in Kozhikode and Monunsthil Islam Sabha at Ponnani, the centres authorised for conversion. 

The intelligence report was prepared in connection with the conversion of Nimisha the Hindu girl who got converted to Islam and accepted the name Fathima. She went missing with 21 others from Kozhikode and Palakkad. 

The intelligence report also states that a detailed inquiry is necessary to check whether the conversions were under duress. 

It also states that investigation must be conducted to check whether it will affect internal security of state and nation or affect communal harmony. The report was sent by the then Kasargod Superintendent of Police A Srinivas, who probed the missing case of Nimisha in November 2015. 

Also read: Kerala mother seeks rescue of daughter who converted, joined ISIS

After Nimisha's case, several other reports of conversion came to light including two brothers from Palakkad, Bestin Vincent and his brother and Merin, a girl from Ernakulam. Bestin accepted the name Yahia and got married to Nimisha while his brother accepted the name Isa and married Merin aka Mariyam. 

The issue became serious after it was found that the couple had joined ISIS and fled to Afghanistan along with 20 others, including women and children.

Read more: Kerala Hindu girl suspected to have joined ISIS

The latest in the list is Fadiya, whose marriage to a Muslim man was annulled by Kerala High Court. She was sent in the custody of her parents. 

Following this her husband approached Supreme Court and court said that it is a serious matter and ordered for an NIA probe. 

Another incident also was reported from Kerala where a woman who got converted to Islam and married a Muslim approached High Court stating that her husband is planning to send her to Syria or Yemen. 

The court directed state police chief to conduct a probe and provide report and to ensure police protection to the woman and family. 
 

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