Kerala BJP leader PC George has once again ignited controversy with his remarks advocating for the early marriage of Christian girls, citing the supposed threat of "love jihad." Speaking at an anti-drug awareness program in Pala, Kottayam district, George claimed that in Meenachil taluk alone, 400 Christian girls had fallen victim to "love jihad," with only 41 being "rescued."

The event, originally focused on drug abuse, was organized by Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt and the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC), but quickly veered into discussions on interfaith relationships, a topic that has long fueled anxieties within Kerala’s Christian community.

In a speech that has drawn widespread criticism, George blamed Christian families for delaying their daughters’ marriages, arguing that it made them vulnerable to "falling prey" to interfaith relationships. "Even yesterday, a girl in Bharananganam went missing. She is 25. They are still searching for her.

Shouldn’t we slap her father for not marrying her off early? Shouldn’t parents have the decency to get their daughters married at 18 and keep them only till 22 at most?" he remarked. Doubling down on his argument, George compared Christian marriage practices with those in Muslim communities, suggesting that Christian families delay marriage out of greed for their daughters’ earnings.

"At 25, both men and women are naturally attracted to each other. This is human weakness. Muslim girls are not studying, no? Why? They are married off by 18. But we keep our girls unmarried till they are 28 or 30. We think we can get a share of their salary—that’s the issue," he said.

His comments have sparked outrage, with many slamming them as regressive and misogynistic. Critics argue that pushing for early marriage undermines women's education and independence, reinforcing outdated patriarchal norms.

The remarks have also reignited debates on the "love jihad" narrative, which has repeatedly been dismissed by various investigative agencies for lack of evidence but continues to be weaponized by right-wing groups to fuel communal tensions.