Why Love Jihad is Nothing but a Cynical Election Ploy

With an eye of polls coming up in several states, particularly in UP, the BJP and other members of the Sangh Parivar have been attempting to ratchet up the communal tension.The latest issue to catch their attention is what has come to be known as 'love jihad'. In this interview, Newsclick speaks to Shankar Raghuraman, Associate Editor of the Times of India to discuss whether there is any truth behind the BJPs claims and how this latest round of fear mongering is likely to affect the poll bound states. Is Love Jihad merely a creation of the right wing groups in order to meet their political aims? How has the mainstream media reacted to this issue? Shankar Raghuraman moves on to discuss the effects of such issues on India's multicultural society : despite the fact that religious freedom is protected by the Constitution - more and more attempts are being made to control this aspect of peoples lives often in an attempt to stop conversions. But does the state have any right to do this?