The SP legislator, Raees Sheikh, claims there was no need for new bills as govt committees were already examining the issue
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Raees Sheikh has called for the rejection of two private members’ bills introduced by BJP MLAs Sudhir Mangtiwar and Atul Bhatkhalkar, citing concerns over political motives and communal disharmony. In a letter addressed to the Legislative Secretariat, Sheikh questioned the necessity of these bills when the state government had already established committees to study the issue of forced religious conversions and marriages.
In his strongly worded letter, the MLA alleged that the private bills were an attempt to target the Muslim community, gain undue publicity, and create divisions between religious groups. “When the government has already formed two committees to make laws on forced conversions and marriages, what is the need for two MLAs from the ruling party to introduce their bills? Do they not trust their own government’s intentions?” he questioned.
According to Raees Sheikh, the government had set up a seven-member committee, headed by the state’s Director General of Police, on 14 February this year. The committee’s mandate is to study existing legal provisions regarding religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, or inducement, and to propose new legislation if necessary. The committee includes senior officials from key departments such as Women and Child Welfare, Minority Affairs, Law and Justice, Social Justice, Special Assistance, and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Sheikh further pointed out that before this, the government had already formed an “Interfaith Marriage Family Coordination Committee” on 13 December 2022 to examine issues arising from interfaith marriages and conversions. Given these developments, he argued that the BJP MLAs’ decision to introduce new legislation independently was redundant and politically motivated.
Speaking to reporters, Raees Sheikh criticised the BJP members for what he termed as a “desperate attempt” to push an agenda against the Muslim community. “When the government has already formed two committees of high-ranking officials to investigate the so-called ‘Love Jihad’ issue, do these BJP MLAs not trust these committees or their own government? Instead of waiting for the committee reports, they are in a rush to defame Muslims,” he remarked.
He further stated that the introduction of these private bills appears to be an orchestrated attempt to keep communal tensions alive ahead of upcoming elections. “The ruling party’s own government is working on the issue, yet its members are independently introducing bills. This suggests that the intention is not governance but creating fear and mistrust among communities,” Sheikh said.
The issue of ‘Love Jihad’ — a term often used by right-wing groups to allege forced conversions of Hindu women by Muslim men through marriage — has been a subject of controversy and legal scrutiny in various states across India. Critics argue that such legislation, if passed, could lead to harassment of interfaith couples and further deepen religious polarisation in the country.
Several states governed by the BJP, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, have already implemented laws targeting forced religious conversions. However, these laws have faced legal challenges, with opponents arguing that they violate constitutional rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.
Raees Sheikh’s demand for rejection of the private bills has sparked a wider political debate in Maharashtra. While BJP leaders argue that such legislation is necessary to curb forced conversions, opposition parties maintain that it is a politically driven move aimed at targeting the Muslim community. It remains to be seen whether the Legislative Secretariat will accept Sheikh’s demand and reject the bills or allow them to proceed for further discussion.
The matter is likely to be a flashpoint in the upcoming legislative sessions, with both sides expected to put forth strong arguments in defence of their respective positions.
