Indian Muslim activists say the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand is experiencing a disturbing surge in anti-Muslim hate triggered by an accusation of “love jihad”.
Love Jihad is a Hindutva conspiracy theory alleging that Muslim men are enticing Hindu women into marriage to convert them to Islam, made world famous by the Hindutva hate film, The Kerala Story.
In May, some Hindutva groups organised a rally in Purola, demanding the expulsion of all Muslims within 15 days, while notices were plastered on Muslim homes and shops, branding them as “encroachers” and “outsiders,” igniting fear among the minority Muslim population.
Prakash Kumar Dabral, a leader from the ruling BJP party, said: “We will cordially chuck them out of here. We will not let them do business here, will not let them open shops.”
Hindu nationalist organisations affiliated with the Hindutva umbrella organisation the Sangh Parivar, are actively promoting a divisive agenda, while the campaign to marginalise Muslims in Uttarakhand is receiving support from top-level officials, including Chief Minister Dhami.
A recent Human Rights Watch report has accused the ruling BJP of encouraging hate crimes against minorities and failing to hold the perpetrators accountable.
The report also states that the BJP and its supporters have “used communally divisive rhetoric and policies to polarise Indian society along religious lines, and to portray Muslims as anti-nationals, and a threat to the Hindu majority.”
