Hindutva finds a new target – ‘gym jihad’ The Uttar Pradesh Police recently invoked the Gangsters Act and the Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act against 10 gym owners in Mirzapur, accusing them of waging a so-called “gym jihad.” The authorities allege that the accused had ensnared more than 50 women, though the claims remain unverified. These legal actions have sparked debates about the need for impartial investigations into the allegations, which are part of a broader pattern of conspiracy theories targeting Indian Muslims. The term “gym jihad” is part of a series of narratives that have emerged in recent years, often framed as strategies to portray Muslims as threats to Hindu communities. These theories, such as “love jihad,” have been repeatedly debunked by legal experts and courts, which have pointed out that Indian law does not recognize such terms. Despite this, several states have enacted “anti-love jihad” laws, which critics argue are used to suppress interfaith relationships. The article highlights how Hindutva groups have weaponized these conspiracy theories to stoke fears of a perceived Muslim threat. For instance, “land jihad” claims that Muslims are building shrines on public land, while “cow jihad” alleges that Muslims are stealing cattle. Other fabricated narratives include “organ jihad,” which falsely claims Muslims and Christians are transplanting organs into Hindus, and “thook jihad,” which accuses Muslim fruit vendors of spitting on their wares to spread disease. The piece also details other invented “jihads,” such as “fertiliser jihad,” where Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged Muslim farmers are harming public health by using excessive fertilizers, and “flood jihad,” which claims Muslims deliberately break river embankments to cause floods.#aam_aadmi_party #uttar_pradesh_police #mirzapur #hindutva_groups #abhishek_dipke
