Petition against editors of Hindi newspapers in High Court over malicious use of the term 'Love Jihad'

Jabalpur/Bhopal: A petition has been filed in the High Court seeking action against editors of two Hindi newspapers for divisive reporting and misuse of religious terminology to divide society on religious grounds and demonize entire community.

The petitioner has mentioned that the newspapers consistently used a term 'Love Jihad' though it was neither a term in Islam, nor a term in Indian Penal Code, but this term was repeatedly used to defame a community.

It mentions that in a recent incident in Bhopal, the term was used though there is no religious term like 'Love Jihad'. This term has no legal basis.

But the word 'Jihad' was used as suffix along with 'Love' to give a wrong impression and link religion to any person or persons' alleged act, even before trial and verdict.

The petititioner Maroof Ahmad Khan said that the newspapers spread hate in the society and were damaging the unity and integrity of the country, hurting the social ties. Besides, this term was used in headlines and it was used with malafide intention to demonize a community and create suspicions among religious communities.

It says that a person or persons' involvement in any case is their act but linking the actions with a religious commununity, was malicious and hurt the sentiments of the petitioner as not only the term in his religion was misinterepreted and misused but also it was published, in violation of journalistic norms.

Citing the meaning of the term and the context, the petitioner mentioned that it was shocking that newspapers spread such misinformation and use an invented term to link incidents with entire religion and defame it.

'Love Jihad' has no legal definition and it is repeatedly linking a community and by publishing, this section of media seems to be trying is to pit one community against other community and disrupt peace in the society.

The petitioner said that after he saw misinformation and misuse of terms in these newspapers, he filed a complaint to the police and authorities concerned.

However, as no action was taken to stop circulation of malicious news, he approached the High Court. The petitioner's counsel said that even before completion of probe or judgment, the religious term was twisted and misused and the misinformation was spread that creates tension, demonizes people and damages the peace in society.