Unravelling ‘Love Jihad,’ ‘Population Jihad’ and ‘Muslim Appeasement’

Newsreel Asia Insight #104
Jan. 15, 2024

A new book titled “Love Jihad and Other Fictions,” authored by three journalists, Sreenivasan Jain, Mariyam Alavi and Supriya Sharma, meticulously debunks widely circulated conspiracy theories in India, such as “love jihad,” “population jihad,” and “forced conversions.”

The book describes how these theories have become part of everyday conversations in India, as the book’s description. These theories are amplified by politicians, media and social media. “But are these claims—that India’s minorities are plotting to weaken the majority Hindu community—based on the truth? Or are they fictions created and disseminated to serve the interest of power?” the authors ask.

“Love jihad” implies Muslim men target non-Muslim women for conversion to Islam through fake love and marriage. This term is common in media and politics but often lacks evidence. It has caused social and religious tensions.

“Population jihad” suggests Muslims are having more children than other groups to increase their population in India. The aim is seen as dominating other religious populations. Like love jihad, this theory lacks evidence and is critiqued for creating communal divisions.

The authors started the book due to frustration with these unchallenged theories in mainstream discourse.

In an interview with The Hindu, Jain expressed his concern over the recycling of these theories in media, despite clear evidence refuting them. The book uses facts and journalism to settle debates influenced by political agendas.

Alavi emphasised the book's role as a lasting resource beyond news cycles. It aims to help Indians who value democracy and are affected by misinformation.

Sharma said her motivation stems from a sense of responsibility to counter societal falsehoods. The book is intended as a guide against the ongoing propaganda, offering a more enduring form of journalism.

The authors said they faced significant challenges in defining and debunking fluid and evolving theories like love jihad.

Jain pointed out the difficulty in pinning down these amorphous concepts, which morph into new forms once one aspect is debunked. Despite these challenges, the authors believe there is a sensible audience in India that values factual reporting. Alavi spoke about the hurdles in accessing government data and responses, a reflection of the opaque nature of current journalistic practices.

The authors investigate the origins of love jihad, tracing back to the first known case. They also examine a comprehensive list of alleged love jihad instances. The chapter includes fieldwork in a state with numerous arrests under new anti-love jihad laws, assessing the legitimacy of these crackdowns.

In the interview, Alavi pointed out the media’s role in perpetuating these false narratives.

The authors also analyse demographic data and parliamentary records to evaluate the claim that Muslims could surpass the Hindu population in the foreseeable future.

The book also evaluates the narrative of an alleged Christian plot aimed at converting Indians en masse to Christianity. The authors explore the alleged strategy and its purported impact on India’s religious demographics.

Further, it addresses the theory of Muslim appeasement. It examines various claims, including alleged disparities in electricity supply during Hindu and Muslim festivals, the hajj subsidy, state funding for madrasas and the contentious issue of Muslim men being permitted to have up to four wives. The authors probe these assertions to discern their validity and the extent to which they may be influenced by political agendas.

The book aims to cater to an unaddressed market for truth, providing clarity in a landscape cluttered with misinformation. The authors have structured it to present claims and conclusions in a manner that persuades those undecided on these controversial topics.

Sharma views the book as an antidote to lies. She urges citizens to fight propaganda, seeing it as a civic duty, not just journalistic.