New Delhi: A fresh political confrontation has erupted in Uttar Pradesh after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath raised concerns over what he described as “Love Jihad” and “Land Jihad”, prompting a sharp response from Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the nine-day Ramkatha Mahotsav in Lucknow, Adityanath warned citizens to remain vigilant against alleged attempts to alter the country’s demographic balance. He asserted that India could not serve as a refuge for individuals who lacked faith and loyalty towards the nation.
Drawing references from Hindu mythology, the Chief Minister said that Lord Ram had acted against forces that sought to undermine centres of learning and social harmony. He also cited concerns raised in past court observations regarding religious conversions and defended the Uttar Pradesh government’s 2020 law against unlawful religious conversion.
Adityanath argued that greater public awareness was required to counter what he termed conspiracies aimed at changing religious demographics. He also warned against divisive forces that seek to fragment society on the basis of caste, region or language, urging people to remain united.
His remarks triggered an immediate political reaction from Akhilesh Yadav, who mocked the Chief Minister’s comments by saying that he appeared to have little understanding of love and was more interested in issues related to land.
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also challenged Adityanath’s remarks on “Land Jihad”, suggesting that property ownership records in Gorakhpur should be examined before making such allegations. Yadav further said that Sanatan Dharma promotes values of love, brotherhood and truth, accusing the state government of straying from those principles.
The terms “Love Jihad” and “Land Jihad” have long been used by several right-wing groups to allege forced religious conversions through marriage and illegal land acquisition. However, “Love Jihad” is not recognised as a legal term under Indian law. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs had informed Parliament in 2020 that no such term exists in the legal framework.
While some states, including Uttar Pradesh, have enacted laws regulating religious conversions, these laws focus on conversions allegedly carried out through force, fraud, coercion or inducement rather than using the term itself.
The latest exchange is expected to further intensify the political battle between the ruling BJP and the Samajwadi Party as both parties continue to sharpen their positions ahead of future electoral contests in Uttar Pradesh.
