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KOCHI: The acting chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), Rekha Sharma , said on Monday that 'forced conversions' were taking place in Kerala. “I have a problem in using the term 'love jihad' as all the women I have talked to, were either blackmailed or forced to convert from their own religion.“Sharma, who is on a three-day visit to the state, said that she met many girls at the government guest house here on Monday and understood that girls were being manipulated and coerced into conversions . “A 17 year-old girl was 'blackmailed' by a boy using a selfie she clicked with him. In another instance, a Class VII student told his teacher that his family would offer her Rs 5 lakh if she converted into his religion," said Sharma.

She said she decided to visit Kerala after reading media reports and watching Hadiya alias Akhila's video. “We have been reading reports on girls being harassed by their own parents. Why can't we leave the girls alone and let them choose the religion they want to follow. Why force them? I am concerned about their human and constitutional rights," said the NCW chairperson.

On being asked how the NCW visited Hadiya when her case was before the Supreme Court, the chairperson said that the SC had not banned anybody from meeting her. “She is not under house arrest. She is physically fit, very alert and updated with what's happening around. She is looking forward to appearing before the court."

Sharma said that she would be submitting all the complaints to the state DGP when she would meet him on Wednesday and also file a report to the Centre. On being asked about how she viewed the state women commission's action in the Hadiya issue, Sharma said that she did not know what action the state panel had taken.

