KOTTAYAM: Former Poonjar MLA PC George once again courted controversy as he urged Christians to marry off their daughters before they turn 24 years of age, claiming that ‘love jihad‘ was on the rise.
Speaking at a meeting organised by KCBC Temperance Commission against drugs in Pala on Sunday, the BJP leader said that around 400 girls were lost to love jihad in Meenachil taluk alone. “Got back only 41 girls,” he said.
George urged Christian parents to realize the situation and marry off their daughters before they turn 24 years old.
On explosives seized from Erattupetta recently, George said that the explosives were enough to burn the entire state. He added that he knew where the explosives were to be used, but he was not divulging it.
The Central Government had previously addressed this issue in 2020, stating that ‘love jihad’ is not defined under existing laws, and no central agencies have reported any such cases.
The government had informed Parliament that Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees freedom to profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, and health. Various courts, including the Kerala High Court, have upheld this constitutional view.
George was recently involved in legal troubles, having been arrested for delivering a hate speech against a minority community during a TV channel discussion. He was granted bail on February 28 after being placed in judicial remand.
George was recently granted bail by a court on strict conditions after he was arrested in a hate speech case.
(With agency inputs)
