Bharatiya Janata Party-bound E Sreedharan, popularly known as the ‘Metro Man of India', said that he was against the concept of “love jihad” because he had seen Hindu, Muslim and Christian girls being tricked into marriage in Kerala.
“Love Jihad, yes, I see what is happened in Kerala. How Hindus are being tricked in a marriage and how they suffer... not only Hindus, Muslims, the Christian girls are being tricked in a marriage. Now that sort of a thing I certainly will oppose,” Sreedharan said during an interview with a leading English news channel on Friday.
The 88-year-old technocrat’s statement comes amidst the ongoing debate on the “love jihad” laws bought by the Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh governments. Both BJP-ruled governments bought the laws against forceful and fraudulent conversion, coercion, or marriage. Many have complained that the law is being misused to harass inter-faith couples.
During the interview, when asked about BJP’s campaign against cow meat and beef eating in Kerala, Sreedharan replied, “Personally, I am a very very strict vegetarian. I don’t even eat eggs so, certainly, I don’t like anybody eating meat.”
Sreedharan said he is open to chief ministership if BJP wins the elections in Kerala. He added that he is going to focus on BJP centric activities and the focus will be on infrastructure development and would help in bringing BJP to power in Kerala. BJP is a party of nation-loving people, he said.
Meanwhile, in another interview, Sreedharan surprisingly said that he would be happy if Oommen Chandy becomes CM again. However, he added that it would be a disaster if Pinarayi Vijayan returns to power.
"It would be a big disaster if the Left returns to power. I would certainly be happy if Congress leader Oommen Chandy beomes the Chief Minister again," he said, adding that the Congress treated him very well unlike the Left.
While Sreedharan’s recent statements have left many shocked and surprised, some believe that the ‘Metro Man’ joining BJP will not help the party in coming to power in Kerala.
Earlier, Sreedharan said that it has become a fashion to oppose whatever the BJP government at the Centre is doing. He also backed the three contentious farm laws and added their no “intolerance” in the country.
