'Love jihad' due to religious appeasement: RSS leader

RSS leader Indresh Kumar on Friday attributed the occurrence of "love jihad" related incidents due to "religious appeasement" by the Congress and other parties.

"Which states have not reported incidences of 'love jihad'? Tolerance is the basic need. Is it not happening in Kerala, is it not happening in Bengal, is it not happening in Odisha? Everywhere it is happening," he said here in response to a media query on prime accused Shambhulal Raigar in the Rajasthan 'love jihad' case warning "those indulging in 'love jihad' will meet the same fate".

Afrajul, a labourer from West Bengal's Malda district, was seen being brutally hacked to death and set on fire in Rajasamand district of Rajasthan, for allegedly committing "love jihad".

"Basically, the fundamentalist approach to caste and religion is the problem. When everybody respects caste and religion, then the problem of conversions and 'love jihad' can be solved. Every state should take care of that... that there shouldn't be any violence and untoward incidences," said Indresh Kumar.

He claimed the reason for 'love jihad' was appeasement of religions for political gains.

"Everywhere it is happening because of the appeasement of religions by Congress and other partner parties for political reasons.

"Whenever there is conversion automatically hatred is generated which gives birth to violence. Every religion should condemn conversion. There is no need for conversion," he said.

Asked on the need for laws to stop conversion, the RSS leader said: "When there will be no conversion, there will be no hatred, anger and violence. If the need of a law is there (to stop conversion), such a law should be there. It should be the responsibility of all political and religious leaders. Only laws cannot stop it."

--IANS

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