News Brief
Kerala Love Jihad Case: Victim Sona Eldose’s Suicide Note Details Pressure To Convert, Torture By Family Of Boyfriend Rameez
Police probe case after Kerala woman’s suicide note alleges torture and pressure to convert. (Pic Via X)
A 23-year-old woman’s suspected suicide in Kerala has triggered a fresh wave of ‘love jihad’ allegations reported Deccan Herald.
Police found Sona Eldose, from Kothamangalam near Kochi, hanging in her home on Saturday (9 August). A note, believed to be written by her, claimed that her lover Rameez and his family subjected her to “physical and mental torture” and pressured her to convert to Islam.
Sona’s mother, Bindhu, told the media Sona was very much sincere in her relationship with Rameez and hence agreed to the marriage even after Rameez was involved in an immoral trafficking allegation. She added that Rameez and his family insisted Sona must convert before marriage.
The note reportedly stated that Rameez’s family locked her up and forced her to convert. Police have started investigating the coercion claims. If there is sufficient evidence, relevant sections will be invoked, said Ernakulam Rural district police chief M Hemalatha.
Sona, a teacher training course student, had been in a long-term relationship with Rameez. Despite allegations against him, she agreed to marry him but faced continued pressure over religious conversion. Police are likely to arraign Rameez’s family members as part of the probe.
Authorities are also monitoring online campaigns linking the case to ‘love jihad,’ with Hemalatha confirming the allegation of coercing to convert is being examined.
The case comes just days after a political and social storm over the national award given to the film The Kerala Story, which portrayed alleged ‘love jihad’ incidents. Critics had accused the film of promoting communal narratives, while supporters hailed it for “bringing out hidden truths.” The timing has added to the intensity of the current debate in Kerala.
