Love Jihad and Other Fictions

by Sreenivasan Jain, Mariyam Alavi, Supriya Sharma

Love jihad, Muslim appeasement, forced conversions—these conspiracy theories are now driving everyday conversations in India. Amplified by politicians, cacophonic media coverage, and relentless social media forwards and updates, they have come to be accepted as reality by a large number of people.

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?

In this book, the authors interrogate some theories that are part of the landscape of WhatsApp chats and social media feeds of millions of Indians every day. Chapter 1 examines ‘love jihad’, perhaps the most ascendant of all these claims. Starting with the first known case of ‘love jihad’, the authors investigate arguably the only definitive list of ‘love jihad’ cases. They travel to the state where the largest number of arrests have been made under new anti-love jihad laws to explore if the crackdown is justified. Chapter 2 places ‘population jihad’—the claim that Muslims are waging a holy war by producing more children—under the scanner.

The authors crunch the numbers and trawl through parliamentary records to decode whether Muslims will indeed outnumber over a billion Hindus in the near future. Chapter 3 scrutinizes the Hindutva claim of a sinister Christian scheme to take over India through mass forced conversions. Chapter 4 examines the theory of Muslim appeasement, probing assertions like unequal availability of electricity on Diwali and Eid, the hajj subsidy, funds to madrasas, and the favourite bugbear of the Hindu Right: Muslim men being able to take up to four wives.

With its clear-eyed and scrupulously argued and researched approach, Love Jihad and Other Fictions is an indispensable antidote to the viral falsehoods threatening to tear India apart.

Genres: Nonfiction, India, Politics, Indian Literature

208 pages, Hardcover

Published December 1, 2023

Reviews

[Elsa Rajan Pradhananga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Jihad and Other Fictions is a very well researched book that debunks viral claims that proliferate our social media space. The book is an absolutely essential intervention because like the authors point out, today's WhatsApp messages have the potential to become tomorrow's legislation.

India is more than a decade into a new kind of colonization. The Hindu right's hunger for power has led them to coin bizarre expressions like corona jihad, population jihad, fertilizer jihad, land jihad and the sort to  instigate violence against minorities and then publicly rationalize these crimes.

As a reader I couldn't help but be in awe at how well the authors have accomplished the daring venture at such a dangerous juncture and have restored truth. I loved the layout of the book that systematically busts popular myths like love jihad, population jihad and forced conversions, with hardcore facts using data collected from government records, ground reports, interviews, and recorded history.

The book is definitely an eye opener for those who may have been swayed by the allure of power and is a must read for sensible Indians who may have been fence sitting or even primed into believing the much ciculating hate propaganda.

[Akankshya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that investigates every Hindu-Right wing claim proliferating on social media with the facts, figures, history & common sense.

I do not think this book will change minds for those already down the Hindutva rabbit hole but that's simply because it solely wasn't facts & figures or rational arguments why they ended there, I think the psychological anxieties - of admitting one's beliefs are false and/or bigoted or the possibility that one could be indoctrinated into believing in something - & the personal investment for many hindutva followers have been so long in the making, it would take a long time to undo a deeply entrenched conditioning openly endorsed by almost every social sphere of of the country, from corporate media to the family.

However, I do think this book would be of immense value to those who want to have genuine empathetic conversations with their loved ones about their ideological leanings & the deeply problematic politics of the Hindu right. A book like this can largely help steer conversation in a direction that fosters open dialogue & at least prepares us for the general arc of the arguments/tactics one is likely to expect from followers of the Hindu Right.

[CK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched book. It clearly calls out and debunks several of the myths and lies that are floating. This is very important, considering that these lies and myths now enjoy the power of government and politics of the day.

This book will help only those who are fence sitters, and there are not many, to relook at these stories and consider the facts and case presented to debunk the myths.
For me these were myths to begin with, they remain and will remain forever. However, now i will be able to refer some of jokers who argue about these with half-baked information to atleast read this book and know something.

We are living in dangerous times in India. It is only a matter of time, before it gets more ugly. I can only hope that books like this help people know and react better.

[Bhargavi Zaveri · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read block..oops, myth buster! From love jihad to population jihad, from Muslim appeasement to polygamy, the authors systematically state each claim made by the Hindu right and the facts and data that debunk the claim.

It's a book that everyone in India - especially young folk who've been fed these stories since childhood - wants to read, but nobody wants to write. It's a book that every adolescent Indian must read as part of their civics syllabus. Systematic, surgical, well researched. And most importantly, much needed.

[Anubhav Mehta · Rating 1 out of 5]

Selective reporting of a few cases to put forth a point, ignoring the hundreds and thousands of cases which prove otherwise.

[Abhijeet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this isn't going to change anyone's mind, which is a tragedy.

[Prasad GR · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has never ceased baffling me how most people - who appear to be sane otherwise - fall prey to conspiracy theories of the kind detailed in this book. They are quick to believe in all such hypotheses and there is no way one can have a rational discussion with them. Any attempt at discussing, soon morphs into an argument with the decibel levels rocketing through the roof, with inconceivably crazy depths of what-aboutery that only they can plumb to. Not to mention the names they have called me!

I have had the privilege of working with truly smart people who always make decisions solely based on data and evidence. But when it comes to this department, they transform into someone else and parrot silly arguments blindly. Any attempt to present facts that debunk their claims will be nonchalantly brushed aside with contempt. And their numbers are steadily and worryingly increasing.

If anything, this book only makes me despondent at the mighty rightwing juggernaut’s ability to instil a fear of the ‘other’ in the minds of millions, who seem to be oblivious of the fact that it is only a matter of time before they find themselves othered. What makes it worse is that the rise of the rightwing is not unique to India, but a world-wide phenomenon that is helping megalomaniacs come to power. A true dystopia in the making.

How stranger and weirder is real life than fiction! It’s now time to find solace inside the safe passages of a fictitious story book.

[Chittajit Mitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times when certain terminologies become a part of our daily lives whether organically or inorganically it becomes important to look closer about whether such words have any factual basis or not. In Love Jihad and Other Fictions, three journalists come together to unravel the hard truth backed by empirical data. Divided into four segments Sreenivasan Jain, Mariyam Alavi and Supriya Sharma have tried to mention every single talking point that is raised around love jihad and other such communally toned narratives and carefully revealed what the ground reality is. Along with the mainstream media with some even hallucinating about IAS jihad and what not, social media has quickly risen to prominence to spread such nonsensical stories. The book has specific tweets, WhatsApp forwards along with badly made cartoons, (dis)infographics and pamphlets that are used to make such unbelievable content palpable for its target audience. I believe this book can easily be used as a template to reply to the boring toolkit that is presented on a daily basis to create a perception of the majority being in some kind of imaginary danger while the only danger that we need to focus on are issues like climate change, unemployment, rural distress, etc. A must read in contemporary times!

[Swapna Peri ( Book Reviews Cafe ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Love Jihad and Other Fictions": A Critical Analysis of Conspiracy Theories

• The authors challenge the accuracy of statements about coerced conversions, love jihad, and Muslim appeasement.
• They dispel misconceptions about the goal of minority populations and the perceived demographic danger of Muslims.
• The book examines how these theories influence India's security strategies, particularly the perceived threat of minorities to the Hindu majority.
• The authors highlight the inadequacies of conventional educational institutions and the risks of false information.
• They criticize social media platforms for facilitating the spread of false narratives and historical inaccuracies.
• The book explores the psychological and physical impacts of internet trolling on celebrities and online relationships.
• The book provides an insightful examination of the relationship between social media, politics, and public opinion in India.

[Ingrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Propaganda and hate speech have burgeoned over the past decade, fuelled by contributions and protection from political leaders and by industrial scale propagation on both, mainstream and social media. This slim, highly readable volume analyses the data on each of the claims made against minority communities in India and demonstrates exactly how exaggerated or downright false they are. The research is meticulous without being onerous to read and digest. Will this debunking of myths that have gained widespread credence change hearts and minds? Perhaps not. It does, however, provide those who seek to understand the issues or to counter these claims everywhere they encounter them with the facts.

[Mugdha Mahajan · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Love Jihad and Other Fictions" is a timely exploration into some of the most charged narratives in India today. As I delved into the chapters, I appreciated the authors' commitment to thorough research and objective analysis. However, there were moments when the content felt a bit too dense, which made it challenging to stay engaged throughout. Despite this, the book offers a valuable perspective that prompts readers to question what is often accepted without scrutiny. For anyone intrigued by the complexities of modern India’s social fabric, this book is a thought-provoking read, albeit a bit of a heavy one.

[Arathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

i didn't know this book was multiple fact-check articles in a trenchcoat.
it's very well-researched and the authors obviously knew what they were talking about. i picked up a few facts along the way. but this is an in-depth reporting book and not necessarily an analysis book, which is fine, obviously, i was just expecting it to include some more depth. i just wish there was a bit more.

[Kenneth Sequeira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read. Provides clinic evidence on the claims of love jihad, population jihad, forceful conversions and minority appeasement and uses investigative journalism to pursue the truth to its end where WhatsApp forwards don't bother reaching.

[Swati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written book with sound arguments

[Tisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Required reading for a timely move away from news and media illiteracy.

[Priyank Aggarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are several facts and data points which makes every argument and its investigation worth reading.

A very detailed take on some falsehoods currently plaguing our country.

[Lakhdeep Singh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't mean to undermine the authors' effort but my own understanding of the laws and the language of law led me to give a rating of 2.

[AMIR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good timely book by credible journalists to debunk some common myths

[Vasu Dedakiya · Rating 1 out of 5]

A complete imagination an author.. Who was working at Propoganda news channel but new owner threw her. And she thought to spread a propoganda through writing a propoganda book.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love jihad. Population jihad. Forced conversions. Muslim appeasement.

You cannot live in India or be in contact with Indians without hearing these words multiple times every week. Whether it be your family or school WhatsApp group, discussions in the office cafeteria, dinner party conversations or debates on news channels – when you hear people go on and on about these topics, you almost start to believe that “Hindu khatre mein hai/ Hindus are in danger” and that ‘something’ should be done immediately to ‘safeguard’ the religion and those who practice it. Maybe not everyone genuinely thinks that Hindus will be reduced to being a religious minority in the country, but many certainly believe that they have got a raw deal and that it is a disadvantage to be born a Hindu in India.

Many of us intuitively or anecdotally realise that these conspiracy theories are just that – conspiracy theories. However, these falsehoods have been repeated so often by high ranking politicians, government functionaries and mainstream media that they have almost become the truth.

Moreover, in the absence of hard facts, it is almost impossible to counter any of the claims. That is where the book, “Love Jihad and Other Fictions” comes in. The trio of journalists, Sreenivasan Jain, Mariyam Alavi, and Supriya Sharma brought hard-nosed journalistic scrutiny to these viral claims, and in this book have laid out the ‘simple facts to counter the viral falsehoods.’

They used a combination of looking at publicly available data, seeking information through RTIs, contacting the leaders who make/ made these claims, and did on the ground reportage to arrive at the truth behind each of the issues.

The book follows a simple format. The falsehoods are grouped into four broad classifications – love jihad, population jihad, conversions and Muslim appeasement. Each individual issue is compressed into a heading, the claims are described in detail, depending on the nature of the claim either the data is analysed (or lack of supporting data noted) or the story is investigated through on-ground reporting, and a single line conclusion states if the issue is fact or fiction.

While some of the claims are debunked by analysing data, but you don’t need a background in statistics to understand the simple graphs which are completely self-explanatory. Other stories which deal with specific individuals or events are subject to proper investigative journalism, including reading available information and interviewing the various stakeholders before arriving at the conclusion.
The Epilogue is the most heart wrenching section of the book, because it uses publicly available data to show how violence against religious minorities have gone up exponentially in the last nine years. Which some of the violence may have been directly orchestrated by those who enjoy political patronage, all the violence took place only because the dominant political climate allows hate and hate crimes to be normalised.

The book ‘Love Jihad and Other Fictions’ debunks many of the myths we hear every day, and provides facts to counter the falsehoods. Anyone who wants to know the truth behind the claims, should read the book, because it ensures that we are aware of the facts and are no longer acting through ignorance.

As is the case with Kunal Purohit’s ‘H Pop: The Secretive World of Hindutva Pop Stars‘, having read the book, it will be up to us to either choose to counter the narrative and challenge falsehoods with facts, or to choose to be silent. Whatever we choose, the choice will be ours.
Read a detailed review here: https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2024/02/...

[Mili Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few days ago I finished a thought provoking book that deeply examines some toughest issues and questions about social and political activities. Penetrating to the roots of some news decoding the falsehood with discussions of some simple facts that are strategically curved to fulfill the political agenda.

This book is brilliantly crafted through painstaking research work and reflects some truths that were forced to be carefully hidden behind the curtain from long time.

The book provides nothing but the well excavated facts and rest is up to you.