Unmasking 'love jihad': The dangerous Indian conspiracy theory
https://observers.france24.com/en/tv-shows/the-observers/20230623-love-jihad-india-conspiracy-theory-investigation-hindu-muslim India’s Muslims have been accused of land jihad, population jihad, corona jihad… but the “love jihad” conspiracy theory is perhaps the most salient and divisive accusation to have become ingrained in Indian society, fuelling ongoing culture wars. The love jihad theory posits that the Muslim community strategically targets vulnerable Hindu women, seducing them and subsequently coercing them to convert. This baseless narrative has led to widespread suspicion of Muslim men who dare to interact with Hindu women.
https://www.facebook.com/FRANCE24.English/videos/821693502707318 A Muslim man accused of “love jihad” in India can be harassed, beaten, arrested or even killed. It’s a conspiracy theory openly supported by officials from the ruling party, the BJP. But is there any truth to it? Using firsthand accounts from victims of love jihad accusations and an analysis of the deluge of disinformation circulating online, The Observers - France 24 journalist Pariesa Brody unravels the consequences of this divisive narrative.
Raqib Hameed Naik: In modern India, love jihad is one of the most dangerous tools used by the far right to stoke fear, mistrust, create animosity and normalise the acts of violence against Muslims