Konkona Sensharma among 1,500 signatories against 'love jihad' law in Uttar Pradesh

Over 1,500 people from across the country, including actress-filmmaker Konkona Sensharma, have signed a petition to the National Human Rights Comission (NHRC) expressing concern about the growing oppression of women under the controversial Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance in Uttar Pradesh, commonly known as the 'love jihad' law, promulgated by the state government.

They said the law seeks to prevent women in Uttar Pradesh from exercising their fundamental rights to faith, liberty, bodily autonomy and equality.

Describing the law as 'patriarchal', the letter writers said no credible evidence has been provided in support of the state government's claim that Muslim men are snaring Hindu women into love marriages for the sole purpose of converting them to Islam.

Started by advocate Mani Chander, the public petition attracted the attention of several prominent people, including journalist Priya Ramani, radio jockey Sayema Rehman, actor Sushant Singh and filmmaker Shilpi Gulati.

Citing several recent instances of blatant misuse of the law, the petition demanded that the NHRC take cognizance of these and call for a detailed report from the director general of police, Uttar Pradesh. It also called for the formulation of guidelines to protect the fundamental rights of citizens and to curb misuse of the law.