Kerala Election: BJP Manifesto Promises Law Against 'Love Jihad,' Sabarimala Protection

BJP manifesto love jihad law: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) released their election manifesto for the Kerala legislative assembly election, with key highlights being the promise of a law against 'love jihad,' to prevent any forced religious conversions in the state, and legislation for the Sabarimala temple.

"The manifesto guarantees employment to at least one from each family, terrorism free Kerala, hunger-free Kerala, Sabarimala legislation, free laptop to high school students, Love Jihad legislation," Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said releasing the manifesto Wednesday.

Other noteworthy promises included five-acre lands for landless SC/ST persons, Rs 5000 monthly income for families where sole breadwinners are rendered unfit to work and six gas cylinders for all BPL households.

The opposition Pinarayi Vijayan-led CPI(M) is currently in power in Kerala, with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) alliance having a stronghold on that turf. Highlights from LDF election manifesto here.

Spotlight On BJP Manifesto Love Jihad Proposal

The 'love jihad' law - primarily targeted at curbing alleged forced conversions of women from Hinduism to Islam - has been the subject of wide scrutiny ever since saffron states began pushing the agenda over the last year. So far, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have implemented this law. Haryana and Karnataka are also considering implementation.

Sabarimala, meanwhile, will be a major election issue, BJP's Amit Shah said at a roadshow in Kerala on Wednesday. The BJP charged the LDF over hurting religious sentiments and has offered 'protection' of the temple and Lord Ayyappa's faithful devotees. The Sabarimala temple has been the centre of heated controversy in the last decade regarding women's entry into the premises.

In 2020, the Supreme Court lifted the ban on women's entry into Sabarimala which led to widespread protests among devotees. More here.