Religion:Bhagwa Love Trap

Short description: Term used for by Muslims in India

Bhagwa Love Trap () refers to a term used in social media discussions and public discourse in India , specifically regarding the alleged phenomenon of Hindu men attempting to "lure" Muslim women into relationships with the intention of ultimately converting them to Hinduism. The term draws parallels with the controversial concept of "Love Jihad," which claims that Muslim men seek to convert Hindu women through deceptive means.

History

The concept of the "Bhagwa Love Trap" gained attention through social media platforms, where various posts sought to raise awareness about the perceived "threat" posed by Hindu men attempting to attract Muslim women. Supporters of this narrative often cite statements and speeches made by certain Hindutva groups and leaders as evidence.

For instance, in 2017, the Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM), an affiliate group of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), launched a campaign called "Beti Bachao, Bahu Lao" (Save Daughters, Bring Daughters-in-law), which encouraged Hindu men to marry Muslim women. The group claimed that it would facilitate the weddings of 2,100 such couples in the coming months, framing it as a measure to counter "Love Jihad" and promote "population control."

In March 2023, Hindutva leader Kajal Hindustani delivered an inflammatory speech in Gujarat on the occasion of Ram Navami, highlighting the perceived advantages for Muslim women who marry Hindu men. Hindustani was subsequently arrested for her speech.

Love Jihad

The Islamophobic term "Love Jihad" originated from a narrative propagated by certain sections of the Hindu Right, alleging that Muslim men engage in a systematic campaign to convert Hindu women by concealing their religious identity until marriage. While this narrative was initially promoted by some churches in Kerala, it gained traction in North India. Several state governments responded by enacting stricter laws purportedly aimed at protecting Hindu women from falling victim to such alleged tactics. However, investigations and interviews with individuals involved in these cases often revealed that the conversions and marriages were consensual and driven by personal choice, without any coercion or deception involved.

Controversies

The term "Bhagwa Love Trap" emerged as a purported reverse of the "Love Jihad" narrative, claiming that Hindu boys pose as Muslims to attract Muslim girls and eventually convert them to Hinduism. However, there is a scarcity of reliable data or verifiable sources to substantiate these claims made by individuals within the Muslim community.

Certain Hindu organizations have publicly expressed views suggesting the "claiming" of Muslim girls, which has been criticized for objectifying women and fostering fear within the Muslim community regarding their future in the country. Additionally, there have been instances of Hindu individuals engaging in online activities, such as "auctioning" Muslim girls, which have drawn condemnation. However, the existence of a grand conspiracy behind the alleged conversion of Muslim girls remains unverified.

On 16 June 2023, Hindu Dharma Sena, a right-wing religious organization, recently declared a cash incentive of Rs 11,000 for any Hindu male who chooses to marry a Muslim girl after eloping.

Responses and Consequences

In response to the perceived "Bhagwa Love Trap," the Muslim community has taken measures to increase vigilance and surveillance of girls, leading to heightened policing and, in some cases, harassment. Certain videos and messages circulating within the community advise Muslim parents to monitor their daughters' activities, restrict their access to mobile phones, and enroll them exclusively in Muslim-only schools to prevent interactions with individuals from other religions.

Concerns have also been raised about incidents of Muslim vigilantism, where groups of young Muslim men have confronted Muslim girls found in the company of non-Muslim boys. These encounters have resulted in verbal abuse, physical intimidation, and in some cases, violence against both the girls and their companions.

Critics argue that such actions contribute to the further exclusion and marginalization of Muslim women. Instead, they advocate for empowering girls through education, enabling them to make informed decisions about their relationships.

Instances of moral policing by some individuals, particularly among youngsters, have been observed to be on the rise. Social media, including right-wing content, has played a role in disseminating incendiary videos that caution Hindu girls/women against befriending Muslim boys/men. A case of an alleged Bhagwa Love Trap has surfaced in Barwani, Madhya Pradesh in 2021, where a Hindu boy is accused of trapping a Muslim girl in a false love relationship, forcefully marrying her in a temple, pressuring her to change her religion, and subjecting her to torture, prompting the girl to file a complaint demanding strict action against the accused. However, there have been reports of misinterpretation of these messages, leading to incidents of moral policing by young Muslim men in Hyderabad, particularly when the girl/woman involved is Muslim. In response to this trend, some organizations in Hyderabad, such as the 'Iqra Bismi' CTI Institute, are organizing awareness programs to address the issue. One such program was scheduled on May 20 at Kabutar Khana, Hussaini Alam, with the topic of "How to Protect Our Sisters & Daughters from Apostasy In This Perfidy Time?". The program aimed to provide information and educate the community on the topic of growing interfaith friendships. Noted Muslim scholars were expected to participate in the event. These efforts seek to address the concerns surrounding moral policing and foster understanding among different faiths.

See also

• Love Jihad
  • The Kerala Story
• White genocide conspiracy theory
• Great replacement conspiracy theory