Behave Responsibly: Himachal CM to VHP

Shimla, Jan 16 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh Friday advised the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to behave responsibly and refrain from making false statements about "love jihad" being carried out in the state.

The VHP was repeatedly airing the issues of "love jihad" and conversion of religion in the media. However, it has so far failed to produce any substantial facts before the government, an official statement quoted the chief minister as saying.

"I am not against the VHP but it should bring such cases to the limelight so that they can be inquired into," he said.

No case of "love jihad" and conversion of religion has been registered in the state, the chief mister added.

He advised the VHP to behave in a responsible manner and refrain from making false and baseless statements in the better interest of society.

Durga Vahini, the women wing of the VHP, has claimed a large number of forcible conversions of Hindu girls under "love jihad" in the state.

Police, however, said in the past five years there were just six such cases, out of which two were with women's consent.

It said the number of cases registered against Hindu men for allegedly kidnapping Muslim women is also five.