Defying 'Love Jihad': Two Women Begin New Life Together

Two women, alleging they were victims of 'love jihad', have exchanged vows in a symbolic ceremony to live together as life partners. They accuse Muslim men of deceit and vow to start afresh, seeking recognition of their relationship despite legal constraints on same-sex marriage.

In a symbolic ceremony at a temple in Civil Lines court premises, two women, Asha and Jyoti, exchanged vows, denouncing previous relationships alleged to be 'love jihad'. The term is often used by right-wing groups to describe a supposed campaign by Muslim men to convert Hindu women through marriage.

Identifying themselves as victims, Asha and Jyoti held a traditional ceremony in the presence of their lawyer, Diwakar Verma, who supported their choice under the constitutional right to life and liberty. Despite legal restrictions on same-sex marriage, the women declared themselves married and vowed to live together.

The duo highlighted their disillusionment with men, specifically citing deceit by Muslim men as a catalyst for their union. They urged the government to enact stricter measures against deception under the guise of love, calling for recognition of their commitment beyond legal acknowledgments.