Hadiya's Father Joins BJP in Kerala, Extends Support For Party's Sabarimala Protest
KM Ashokan, the father of Hadiya who had converted to Islam after marrying a Muslim boy, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala.
Thiruvananthapuram, December 18: KM Ashokan, the father of Hadiya who had converted to Islam after marrying a Muslim boy, has joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala. Ashokan has also pledged his support for BJP's protest against the Supreme Court verdict allowing entry of women of all ages to Sabarimala. Ashokan was given BJP membership by party general secretary B Gopalakrishnan on Monday in Kerala.
“I was a Communist Party follower since childhood. But the party is playing dirty vote-bank politics with an eye on minority votes… Like many Hindus of Kerala, I am also torn between my belief and law. I personally believe customs and traditions should not come under the purview of courts. Let religious scholars and others decide on such issues,” Ashokan was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court had set aside Kerala High Court’s order and restored Hadiya's marriage with Shafin Jahan. Hadiya, earlier Akila, had converted to Islam after marrying Shafin in 2016, following which her father had moved Kerala High Court alleging Love Jihad. The Kerala HC had then annulled her marriage. Hadiya had, however, in her affidavit in the Supreme Court said that her father was an atheist and suspected that “certain sections” were using him for their own motives.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 18, 2018 12:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).