Muslim participants who join in to cheer for Garba celebrations have always been a point of contention for right-wing forces. Now, this issue has taken on a new form through propaganda-infused entertainment. Some videos of young Hindu performers are gaining attention on social media platforms, in which they portray an offensive, imaginary storyline aimed at creating “awareness against love jihad”.
“Young girls and boys performing on Love-Jihad during Navratri! After struggling for years, now we have finally recognised this issue,” a Hindutva-supporter netizen wrote on the social media portal X while sharing the video and requested “many more such performances during Garba across India”.
People from the Muslim community believe that the actors are actually weaving a conspiracy theory against the Muslims and naming it as an awareness endeavour against “love jihad” to hide their real intentions.
Emotional Manipulation Of The Majoritarian Population Through Communal Theme
Embarking on an emotional song with a flashy background, the first scene opens with a married Hindu couple performing Aarti and cherishing life with their little daughter. The next part portrays the daughter as a college student who meets some Muslim friends, each showcasing their respective religious identities, and falls in love with a Muslim boy. The third scene depicts the marriage rituals of a Hindu girl and a Muslim boy, where the musical narrative takes a propaganda-driven twist. In this sequence, she is shown being harassed, beaten with a baton, and ultimately killed by her husband.
“Jis raah ki manzil nahin, wahi ko gaya hoke gumrah” (Being misled, you have chosen a way that does not lead to any destination). The song defines her love, marriage, and “freedom to choose” as a case of being “misled.”
The video was shared multiple times on X and other social media platforms.
“Beautiful performance to raise awareness and educate Hindu girls about Love-Jihad in a Garba-pandal! Heartfelt respect to the Sanatni sisters and brothers,” another user tweeted.
“If you don’t share this video with everyone on your mobile phone, you are a stain on the name of our Hindu society. You have to share this with all your sisters and relatives,’ another Hindutva supporter wrote on X.
In a country where the masses are obsessed with music and cultural ethos, such programs can foster hate, discrimination, prejudice, and violence against minority communities through their conspiracy theories and propaganda themes.
Love-Jihad And Garba: A Popular Propaganda
Love jihad is one of the most prevalent forms of right-wing propaganda during Garba dance celebrations, where the presence of Muslims has long been targeted with communal perspectives. Many Garba organizing committees have also imposed a ban on the entry of non-Hindu participants.
Such behavior against religious minorities, particularly the Muslim community, is not limited to ordinary masses but also reflects the sensational coverage of the issue by “Godi media.” This media often employs hyperbolic headlines, where the “presence of bhaijaan” (bhai or a Muslim man) in “garba ka maidan” (Garba celebration areas) is intentionally framed as indicative of “wicked intentions.” This narrative aims to incite majoritarian crowds and target Muslims.
Communalism, mixed with beats and acting, is not only a case of abhorrence but also a chauvinistic attempt to poison young minds with venomous ideas and to pollute the realm of entertainment.
