Kerala: Hadiya's father joins BJP, says CPI(M) playing dirty politics
The father of Hadiya, a woman who had grabbed national headlines over allegations of 'love jihad', has joined the BJP. KM Ashokan, Hadiya's father, joined the saffron party through an online membership campaign last week, and was handed his membership card by BJP state spokesperson B Gopalakrishnan at a Sabarimala protest meeting. Ashokan has pledged his support to the BJP's Sabarimala agitation. Here's more.
Ashokan: BJP only party that safeguards Hindus' beliefs
Speaking to media, Ashokan said that his decision to join the BJP stemmed from the fact that the saffron party was the only one protecting the beliefs of Hindus in India. He added that "customs and traditions" should not come under the purview of courts, and that "religious scholars" should be left to decide on matters of faith and tradition.
Ashokan says CPI(M) playing 'dirty politics'
"I was a Communist Party follower since my childhood. But of late the party is playing dirty vote-bank politics eyeing minority votes. I failed to understand if somebody talks about Hindus he turns communal in no time," said Ashokan.
The 'love jihad' controversy that rocked India
The controversy surrounding Hadiya, earlier known as Akhila Ashokan, grabbed national headlines in 2016. Hadiya had embraced Islam in January 2016, and six months later, married a Muslim called man Shefin Jahan from Kollam in south Kerala. Subsequently, allegations broke out about love jihad - that Hadiya had been brainwashed into converting to Islam by the man she was in love with.
The Kerala HC had initially annulled Hadiya's marriage to Jahan
A disapproving Ashokan subsequently challenged his daughter's marriage at the Kerala High Court, claiming that Hadiya had been unwittingly indoctrinated and forced to convert against her will. The Kerala HC ruled in favor of Ashokan, annulled the marriage, and gave the man his daughter's custody. However, in March this year, the Supreme Court overturned the verdict, allowing Hadiya to live with her husband.
What Ashokan had alleged about Jahan
Ashokan, reportedly, disapproved of Hadiya's marriage on the grounds that Jahan was an member of the Popular Front of India (PFI), an extremist organization, and had been involved in many cases. Following allegations of love jihad, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), based on a Supreme Court order, began probing whether Hadiya was forcefully converted. The probe is still ongoing.
What Hadiya's father had been afraid of
Ashokan had argued that he wanted to save Hadiya from being transported to Syria's "extremist-controlled territories" to be used as a "sex slave or a human bomb." He had said she was a "vulnerable adult," and that he couldn't remain a silent spectator of manipulation.
What Hadiya had told the Supreme Court
However, when Hadiya testified in November 2017, she said she had married Jahan and converted to Islam of her own will. She alleged she had endured "mental harassment and unlawful custody (at her parents' house) for 11 months." Hadiya proclaimed in the SC: "I want freedom. I am a Muslim and I want justice." Subsequently, the SC allowed her to go back to Jahan.
