Bhopal BJP MP Alok Sharma has triggered a storm of controversy by demanding the sterilisation of individuals accused in so-called “love jihad” cases. His remarks, made during a recent public event, have gone viral across social media, drawing both support and widespread condemnation.
Sharma, a first-time Member of Parliament and former Mayor of Bhopal, said, “The government should ensure that those caught in love jihad cases are sterilised.” His statement was delivered in response to a disturbing case unearthed last month involving a gang accused of systematically targeting Hindu women—particularly students—under the guise of romantic relationships. These women were reportedly sexually assaulted, blackmailed using explicit videos, and pressured into religious conversion.
The severity of the allegations has prompted the Bhopal Police Commissioner to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the network’s operations and its potential links to larger criminal or ideological outfits.
Sharma went further in his speech, urging citizens to act if such cases surface: “Wherever such incidents are reported, call me directly. If needed, surround the police stations immediately.” His comments have raised alarms about the encouragement of vigilantism and potential interference with police procedures.
He also issued a stern warning, saying, “If anyone tries to do such a thing, they will face consequences like never before. Society must be prepared for what action will be taken against them.”
While Sharma’s remarks have drawn support from some right-wing groups, human rights advocates and opposition leaders have condemned them as inflammatory, unconstitutional, and a threat to due legal process. Critics argue that such calls for sterilisation are not only inhumane but also violate fundamental rights and promote communal disharmony.
The debate around the term “love jihad”—a controversial and legally unrecognised phrase often used to describe alleged cases of Muslim men luring Hindu women into relationships for religious conversion—has intensified in recent years, particularly in BJP-ruled states.
