Interfaith Marriages in India: Constitutional Rights, Forced Conversion, and the ‘Love Jihad’ Debate

Interfaith marriages is a constitutional right given to every citizen of the country, still we have done this study because this issue has not been properly addressed due to politicisation of the issue. Whenever anyone discusses this issue solely based on facts, it is termed as Islamophobia. Indian constitution allows every citizen of India to follow any religion or to marry anyone irrespective of any religious background. Yet, despite the existence of constitutional rights and freedoms, tensions between different faiths continue to persist which makes this topic even more relevant for discussion. We have seen that lately there has been a rise in the cases of “Forced Conversion” with the domestic and foreign fundings. Such forced conversions and “Love Jihad” cases have led us to ponder on this crucial topic. Even the judiciary has considered it a national threat to the nation and as well to the demographic changes. Though there are anti-conversion laws, constitutional rights given on freedom of choice of religion and interfaith marriages but when we see Jhangur Jahangir Baba type cases then we realise the seriousness of such issues. The issues of forced conversions and Love Jihad are overshadowed by the people as conspiracy theory, right wing propaganda and islamophobic mindset. This study critically examines constitutional protections, judicial responses, and socio-cultural discourses, while exploring the implications of these laws on individual rights and communal harmony.