160 Hindu Groups Seek Anti-Love Jihad Law in Maharashtra Winter Session
Pune, 10th December 2025: A coalition of more than 160 Hindu organizations from 20 districts across Maharashtra has urged the state government to enact a stringent “Anti-Love Jihad Law” during the ongoing winter session of the Legislature. The groups have submitted memoranda to district administrations, elected representatives, and senior state authorities, citing what they describe as a rise in targeted incidents against minor girls and young women.
According to the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), which coordinated the campaign, over 1,600 activists and citizens participated in rallies, meetings, and signature drives held in Mumbai, Jalgaon, Dhule, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Ahilyanagar, Amravati, Nagpur, Satara, Pune, Solapur, Nashik, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and other districts. State organiser Sunil Ghanvat said the representations called for Maharashtra to adopt legislation similar to that implemented in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, and Uttarakhand.
The memoranda referred to several high-profile crimes, including assaults and murders reported in parts of Nagar, Kolhapur–Ichalkaranji, Shahuwadi, and other regions. The organizations claimed these incidents highlight the need for stronger legal measures. They have demanded provisions such as life imprisonment for offenders, making the offence cognizable and non-bailable, permitting complaints from victims or any citizen, and establishing a special police unit along with a dedicated women’s task force.
Ghanvat said, “This is not merely a demand for legislation; it concerns the safety and dignity of Maharashtra’s daughters. If similar laws have shown results elsewhere, Maharashtra must take timely action.”
Alongside the demand for an Anti-Love Jihad law, groups also submitted memoranda on the proposed Anti–Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act. Several ministers and legislators—including Gulabrao Patil, Amol Jawale, Suresh Bhole, Anup Agrawal, Pravin Datke, Krishnaji Khopde, Jaykumar Gore, Vijaykumar Deshmukh, Subhash Deshmukh, Devendra Kothe, Kishor Jorgewar, Karan Devtale, Deorao Bhongle, Sudhir Mungantiwar, Vikramsingh Patpute, and MP Anup Dhote—have reportedly expressed support. Some assured that they would raise the issue in the Assembly, while others committed to writing to the Chief Minister.
The campaign organizers said they expect the government to consider the public sentiment and take a clear decision during the current session.
