India: Harassment of Muslim vendors sparks outrage over “food jihad” claims
India: Harassment of Muslim vendors sparks outrage over “food jihad” claims
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Muslim vendors selling kova buns at the Samakka Saralamma Jatara, a prominent tribal festival in Telangana’s Mulugu district, faced aggressive confrontation from a YouTube channel accused of promoting communal division, Muslim Mirror reported.
The channel, Tejaswi News—with around 7,800 subscribers—released multiple videos in the past 10 days alleging that these vendors were selling “adulterated” kova buns.
In a 53-minute explainer video on February 13, anchor Balu Balaji Goud claimed festival attendees reported feeling unwell after eating the buns. Kova buns, a popular South Indian snack made from sugar, milk, and khoya (kova), are commonly enjoyed at such gatherings.
Videos show Balu Balaji confronting vendors, many from Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh, demanding proof of manufacturing and expiry dates on packets. One vendor explained the buns were fresh, locally sourced, and intended for sale within six days, but the anchor dismissed this and pressed for Aadhaar cards to verify citizenship.
He referenced Rohingya Muslims in Hyderabad, questioned the ₹10 price as suspiciously low, alleged adulteration, and called for police action. In one clip, a vendor was pressured to eat a bun on camera to “prove” its safety, while pleading he had come only to earn a livelihood.
The channel repeatedly used the term “food jihad,” a conspiracy theory from certain Hindu right-wing groups claiming Muslims intentionally contaminate food sold to Hindus.
Counter-videos emerged showing locals defending the vendors, with families feeding buns to children and criticizing the YouTuber for divisive propaganda. The anchor’s past affiliations with Hindutva-aligned politics and BJP leaders in Telangana have also drawn scrutiny.
