Politicians are increasingly misusing the sacred term to create division and tarnish the image of Muslims in India
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – The year 2024 will be etched in the annals of history for many things; one of these is the controversial issue of ‘Jihad’. In Islam, ‘Jihad’ is a sacred term, meaning striving or struggling for truth. However, in India, the word has increasingly been misused to vilify Muslims and further fuel communal polarisation, particularly during elections. BJP leaders and some segments of society have invented numerous types of ‘Jihad’, which have no basis in Islamic teachings and are used only for political manipulation.
While the term ‘Love Jihad’ has existed since 2016, it was largely debunked when former home minister Rajnath Singh clarified that no organised conspiracy by that name existed, following an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Despite this, several new forms of ‘Jihad’ were introduced in 2024, most of which were based on exaggerated or fabricated allegations against Muslims. These include “Spit Jihad,” “Urine Jihad,” “Land Jihad,” and others — each more absurd than the last. Let’s take a look at these 13 newly invented types of Jihad.
1. Love Jihad
This term has been frequently used, especially during elections, in the context of Hindu-Muslim interfaith relationships. Any Muslim-Hindu interaction, including simple friendships or marriages, was branded as “Love Jihad.” These personal relationships were alleged to be part of a larger conspiracy to convert Hindu women to Islam. Islam does not condone forced conversions, yet the actions of a few individuals led to the stigmatisation of the entire Muslim community.
2. Dharm Jihad
A spin-off of “Love Jihad,” this term falsely claims that Muslim men trick Hindu women into conversion after marriage. The term is used to describe situations where interfaith marriages are portrayed as deliberate ploys to convert Hindus to Islam. The term was amplified in several states, but it is crucial to note that Islam forbids forced religious conversions. It is a matter of personal belief.
3. Spit Jihad
The “Spit Jihad” term gained traction after an incident in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, where a man was filmed spitting on food while preparing it. This isolated incident was used to falsely suggest a widespread phenomenon among Muslims, with the term gaining political currency despite its baseless nature. Even if a few individuals engage in such acts, it is wrong to pin the responsibility on the entire community.
4. Urine Jihad
In another fabricated case, a Muslim juice shop owner in Ghaziabad allegedly urinated in juice containers. This bizarre act led to the creation of the term “Urine Jihad.” The story gained traction when it was incorrectly linked to Muslims, ignoring the fact that such actions are crimes regardless of one’s religion. As with “Spit Jihad,” this term was used to malign Muslims collectively for the actions of one individual.
5. Land Jihad
“Land Jihad” refers to the accusation that Muslims are involved in illegally occupying land in India by building fake religious shrines. While such cases may have occurred, the term was used by political figures to exaggerate and generalise the issue. Private land disputes between individuals were wrongly labelled as “Land Jihad,” further fuelling misconceptions and fear.
6. Vote Jihad
“Vote Jihad” was a term coined during the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections when BJP leaders accused Muslims of voting as a bloc to oppose the BJP. The term was a political tool aimed at portraying Muslim voters as acting under some collective, coordinated effort to undermine Hindu-majority politics. This was an attempt to delegitimise Muslim participation in democracy.
7. Rail Jihad
Following a series of rail accidents, a political narrative emerged accusing Muslims of deliberately sabotaging train tracks, calling it “Rail Jihad.” The situation was further inflamed when false videos were circulated to promote the idea. However, after investigations and arrests, the term quickly lost its relevance and faded from public discourse.
8. UPSC Jihad
The term “UPSC Jihad” was coined when some people demanded that the UPSC exams be conducted in Urdu, a language spoken by many Muslims. Critics, like the controversial religious guru, Kalicharan Maharaj, argued that this would allow Muslims to dominate the examination process. This baseless conspiracy theory ignored the reality that UPSC is a secular examination system and that no religion is given preference.
9. Business Jihad
In 2024, the term “Business Jihad” was used to criticise Muslim traders in Uttar Pradesh who were allegedly instructed to display their names on shop signs during the Hindu festival of Saavan. The term was coined to create division, with some claiming that Muslims were deliberately trying to deceive Hindus by changing their names and practicing “Business Jihad.” The aim was to economically boycott Muslim traders by labelling them as part of an anti-Hindu conspiracy.
10. Biological Jihad
In Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, the accusation of “Biological Jihad” emerged when two men were accused of attempting to infect a government official’s family with tuberculosis bacteria. This term was intended to imply that Muslims were deliberately spreading diseases, despite the fact that such actions are criminal and unrepresentative of any religious group.
11. Flood Jihad
“Flood Jihad” was coined by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma when he blamed a Muslim-owned university for causing flooding in Guwahati due to improper drainage systems. The term played on anti-Muslim sentiments, claiming that the university’s location was responsible for the flooding, a baseless accusation with no evidence to support it.
12. Labourer Jihad
The term “Labourer Jihad” was introduced by BJP leaders who accused the Jharkhand government of exploiting labourers from states like Odisha and Chhattisgarh. They claimed that the labourers were being exploited for political gain, labelling it a form of jihad. This narrative was part of the broader attempt to create fear and suspicion among workers and the general public.
13. Population Jihad
“Population Jihad” is the claim that Muslims are deliberately increasing their numbers to dominate the Hindu population. This myth was propagated after some BJP leaders highlighted the growing Muslim population in India, comparing it to the declining Hindu population. However, such claims ignore the complex social and demographic factors involved and misrepresent the reality of India’s diverse population.
These 13 types of ‘Jihad’ are not only misleading but also dangerous. They are part of a broader strategy to exploit religious differences and polarise society for political gain. The misuse of the term ‘Jihad’ has long been a tool in sectarian politics, and it continues to be weaponised against Muslims in India. It is important to understand the true meaning of Jihad and recognise the divisive tactics being used to exploit it.
