Kochi: Religious conversions have long been a topic of debate and controversy in Kerala.
The Sudipto Sen-directed 2023 film ‘The Kerala Story’, which was about a group of women forced coerced into converting to Islam and joining the Islamic State, escalated discussions and concerns about religious conversions in the southern state.
A recent incident has brought the focus back on the burning topic.
Sona Eldhose, a teacher training course (TTC) student, took her life in Kothamangalam, Ernakulam. In a suicide note found after her demise, the 23-year-old accused her boyfriend Ramees of assaulting her and forcing her to convert to Islam.
Based on her suicide note, police arrested Ramees. A case for abetment to suicide under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, which covers sexual intercourse under false promise of marriage, has been registered against the boyfriend.
According to police, Sona wrote that Ramees took her to his house on the promise of registering their marriage, but his family insisted that she first convert to Islam.
Not unexpectedly, the suicide case triggered a political furore, with the BJP saying it highlights “jihadi terrorism is spreading into Kerala.”
The saffron party accused Congress and CPM of covering up such incidents to follow their policy of appeasement. BJP claimed those denying the existence of ‘love jihad’ must answer to the victim’s family and said Kerala must be freed from “religious terrorism.”
