In a significant political development, Goa's Minister for Archives and Archaeology, Subhash Phal Dessai, has issued a strong condemnation of what he described as 'love jihad', labeling it a perverse tendency attempting to infiltrate Goan society. The minister also expressed his support for demands to enact anti-conversion legislation in the coastal state.
Minister's Strong Stance Against 'Perverse Tendency'
The minister's comments came on Saturday after he received a representation from Ranragini, a right-wing women's organisation. Phal Dessai, who is also the Sanguem MLA, welcomed the group's demand for the immediate enactment of an anti-love jihad law in Goa. He asserted that "love jihad is a very perverse kind of thing which made inroads in India and is now trying to infiltrate into Goa."
Phal Dessai was careful to clarify the basis of his opposition. He emphasized that his stance was not born out of communal hatred. "We don't have any hatred towards any religion," he stated, adding, "but working against other religions, trying to exploit women of other religions, and worse, harassing them, is what we are condemning." This distinction aims to position the argument as one focused on alleged exploitation rather than religious bias.
Political Context and Chief Minister's Earlier Promise
The minister's remarks align with a broader push within the state's ruling establishment. His comments come several months after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant addressed the state assembly in July 2025. During that session, Sawant stated that Goa needed anti-conversion laws similar to those implemented in Uttar Pradesh.
The Chief Minister had promised to release data on alleged love jihad cases in Goa. He sought to allay concerns by emphasizing that such legislation would specifically target forced conversions and not consensual inter-religious marriages. "Conversion should not take place by offering lures like money, etc," Sawant had clarified, setting a potential framework for the proposed law.
Opposition Challenges and Ongoing Campaign
However, the proposal for an anti-conversion law is not without its critics and faces resistance from sections of the opposition. Vijai Sardesai, the Fatorda MLA from the Goa Forward Party (GFP), directly challenged the Chief Minister's assertions. Sardesai claimed that "there are no cases of love jihad in Goa" and accused the government of pushing a national political agenda onto the state's unique social fabric.
The organisation Ranragini has been actively campaigning on this issue, presenting representations to various MLAs and ministers across Goa to seek legislative action. Their meeting with Minister Phal Dessai is a part of this sustained effort to bring the topic to the forefront of the state's political discourse.
The debate sets the stage for a significant legislative and social discussion in Goa, pitting concerns about religious coercion and women's exploitation against accusations of political opportunism and the potential disruption of the state's traditionally syncretic culture.
