Abstract
The concept of ‘love jihad’ has typically been studied within the context of feminism, nationalism, or religion. However, a singular approach fails to recognize the interconnected impact that each of these has on the development of India’s security policies. This article analyzes how the archetype of the dangerous Muslim male is used to shape India’s securitization strategies. This paper argues that these policies reflect Hindu paranoia of decreasing dominance vis à vis Muslims. This will be explored within three contexts. First, it explores how the perceived threat of an increasing Muslim population shapes state-level and national policies. Second, it explores how the threat of love jihad has shaped India’s policies with its borders and neighboring countries. Third, it examines the international impact of the securitization of love jihad. This paper will demonstrate that at the foundation of these policies is a fear of Muslims strategizing to increase their population via intermarriage and migration. The perceived threat of love jihad has been increasingly utilized as a Hindutva campaign tactic to promote fear and create support for increased securitization policies both domestically and internationally.
Highlights
Nationalism is deeply embedded in gendered constructs
We argue that love jihad has been securitized and shapes domestic but international policies too, especially toward bordering Muslim countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan
This article has expanded upon the understanding of love jihad within the context of security studies
Summary
Nationalism is deeply embedded in gendered constructs. From lady liberty to Bharat. All religious minorities in India are vulnerable to targeted violence, the increased targeted rhetoric of Muslim male is often constructed as a primary threat Has he been othered to the extent that he does not belong within his own country, but he is framed both as an internal and external threat to the nation (Anand 2011). This paper proceeds in the following manner, first it examines how love jihad is being securitized domestically through its framing of Indian Muslims as a threat It discusses how the threat from non-Indian Muslims at India’s borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan shapes India’s regional security approach. It examines the broader international impact of India’s securitization of love jihad. It summarizes the arguments and outlines suggestions for future research
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