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Kerala CM cites data to refute claims linking religion to ‘narcotics, love jihad’
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday cited data to refute claims that there were links between any religion and “narcotics and jihad”, reported The Indian Express.
Love jihad” is a conspiracy theory espoused by Hindutva activists. They allege that through “love jihad”, Hindu women are forcibly converted by Muslims through marriage.
“Narcotic jihad” is another conspiracy theory that alleges that Muslims lure members of other religious groups to become drug addicts.
The chief minister’s comments came amid a controversy in Kerala that began after Joseph Kallarangatt, a bishop of the Palai diocese of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, alleged on September 8 that “jihadis” were using various types of drugs to spoil non-Muslims.
On interfaith marriages, Kallarangatt had alleged that women were first directed towards compromising their faith and then turned to terrorism.
When the controversy emerged, Vijayan had criticised the bishop for making such unsubstantiated claims.
On Wednesday, Vijayan reiterated his opposition to the bishop’s comments. The chief minister cited government data to highlight that 4,941 cases were registered last year in the state under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and out of the 5,422 accused persons, 2,700 (49.80%) were Hindus, 1,869 (34.47%) Muslims and 853 (15.73%) Christians.
“There is no unusual ratio in these figures,” the chief minister said. “The narcotic business…