MUMBAI: An Indian politician has urged Hindu men to lure “10 Muslim girls if we lose one Hindu girl” through what he called “love jihad”, and promised to provide them security and employment.
Pramod Muthalik, chief of the radical Rashtriya Hindu Sena organisation, while speaking at a public event in the southwestern state of Karnataka, alleged that thousands of Hindu girls were being “exploited in the name of love jihad” — the belief that Muslims are seeking to deceive Hindu women through marriage and convert them to Islam.
“We are aware of the situation. I would like to invite the youth here. If we lose one Hindu girl, we should trap 10 Muslim girls. If you do so, Sri Ram Sena will take responsibility for you and provide every kind of security and employment,” a news report quoted Muthalik as saying.
“Our girls are exploited in love jihad. Across the country, thousands of girls are cheated in the name of love. We should warn them,” the politician further said.
*If we lose one #Hindu girl- we should get ten #Muslim girls. If you do so, #SriRamSene will take the responsibility of you and provide all kind of security and employment* #PramodMuthalik during his speech at #Bagalkote #Karnataka pic.twitter.com/weKuHQ7wmm
— Imran Khan (@KeypadGuerilla) February 20, 2023
The report also said that in a conversation with The Indian Express, Muthalik had said he had made similar statements more than 10 times and would continue to do so to “protect Hindu women”.
“I am not saying this because elections are around the corner. My statements have always been in the interest of Hindus,” the report quoted him as saying.
The report added that Muthalik’s comments have been widely criticised, with “love jihad” considered to be a baseless conspiracy theory that courts have rejected.
The Indian politician’s remarks were condemned by a number of civil society members in the country.
Journalist Mohammed Zubair — who was arrested on charges of insulting Hindu religious leaders on Twitter — asked why the Karnataka police were not taking action against Muthalik.
Sri Ram Sena Chief Pramod Muthalik with yet another provocative speech against Muslims “Trap TEN Muslim girls for ever Hindu girl trapped”. He assures protection & employment for Youngsters doing so.
Why isn’t Kar Police not taking any action against him. @DgpKarnataka @BSBommai pic.twitter.com/pJXdOtX3zf— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) February 20, 2023
Indian director Mansoor Hussain Khan said that Muthalik’s “bigoted and sexist hate speech” had brought shame to the people of Karnataka. He also called on the police to take strict action against the politician.
