The word jihad has been part of Islam since its earliest days, rooted in the idea of striving for moral strength and justice. For millions of Muslims, it means prayer, charity, or resisting one’s inner weaknesses. Yet today, that spiritual word has been pulled into the mud of politics.

Across the globe, and especially in India, jihad is no longer spoken of as a sacred duty. Instead, it has been recast into slogans designed to spark fear — “love jihad,” “land jihad,” even “vote jihad.” Each phrase suggests that Muslims are secretly plotting against the majority, turning ordinary acts of life into supposed conspiracies.

A Word Hijacked
The shift in meaning began long before India’s current climate. After the September 11 attacks in the United States, international media repeatedly linked jihad to terrorism. Extremist groups themselves misused the word, and global headlines followed suit. By the mid-2000s, “jihadist” had become a synonym for terrorist.

“The tragedy,” says Professor Rukhsana Ahmed, a historian of Islamic thought, “is that the media allowed extremists to define a word that for centuries meant self-discipline and justice. Now when people hear it, they don’t think of prayer or charity. They think of bombs.”

India’s Political Slogans
In India, the word has taken on new and divisive lives. The term “love jihad” first gained traction in the mid-2000s. It alleged that Muslim men were seducing Hindu women to convert them to Islam — a claim dismissed by police investigations but amplified by politicians and television panels.

Soon, other slogans followed. “Land jihad” painted Muslim property purchases as demographic warfare. “Economic jihad” accused Muslim traders of undermining Hindu businesses. Most recently, “vote jihad” appeared during election campaigns, warning Hindus that Muslim voter turnout was part of a conspiracy.

At a rally in Uttar Pradesh earlier this year, a local leader told supporters, “Every vote they cast is jihad.” The speech went viral on WhatsApp and Twitter within hours. Analysts say the phrase is deliberately designed to paint Muslims as outsiders whose very participation in democracy is dangerous.

The Human Toll
The slogans do not remain in speeches. They trickle down into everyday life.

In Lucknow, 19-year-old Ayesha Khan says she has been mocked on campus as part of “love jihad” for talking to male classmates. In Madhya Pradesh, shopkeeper Irfan Ali reports that customers stopped coming after rumors spread that Muslim vendors were engaged in “economic jihad.”

Civil rights groups document spikes in hate crimes and harassment after such rhetoric. “When leaders use the word jihad like this, it gives a green light to ordinary people to treat us with suspicion,” said activist Mohammad Saleem. “It puts a target on our backs.”

The Role of Social Media
What once spread through rallies and television now travels faster online. On WhatsApp groups tied to political campaigns, videos alleging “vote jihad” circulate freely. On Facebook and Twitter, doctored clips warn of “love jihad” plots. Researchers say algorithms that reward outrage have supercharged the spread.

“It’s not just politicians saying it once at a rally,” explained digital rights activist Anjali Sharma. “The internet ensures that the slogan lives on, repeated endlessly until it feels like truth.”

Global Parallels
India’s slogans echo global patterns. In the United States and Europe, advocacy networks have spent millions portraying jihad as a synonym for violence. Think tanks, commentators, and political campaigns have relied on the fear surrounding the word to shape security laws and public opinion.

The feedback loop is strong: Western fears fuel Indian rhetoric, and Indian slogans reinforce Western stereotypes. “It has become a shared language of Islamophobia,” said Professor Ahmed. “Different countries use it differently, but the effect is the same — Muslims become the permanent suspect.”

Why Politicians Use It
Observers point to clear political incentives. Fear is a proven mobilizer, and slogans like “vote jihad” or “love jihad” rally supporters by painting an enemy within. The language also distracts from governance failures. With unemployment and inflation rising, talking about conspiracies is often easier than addressing policy.

“In one word, a politician can create fear, distract from the economy, and consolidate votes,” said senior journalist Rajdeep Gupta. “That is why the misuse will not stop easily.”

Pushing Back
Despite the challenges, voices of resistance are growing. Muslim scholars continue to remind the public of the original meaning of jihad — inner struggle, charity, and justice. Interfaith groups hold workshops to counter misinformation. Independent media outlets fact-check claims of “love jihad” conspiracies, exposing their lack of evidence.

On social media, young Muslims are reclaiming the word. Posts with captions like “My jihad is finishing my exams” or “My jihad is feeding the hungry” aim to reshape public understanding. “It’s a small effort,” said Ayesha Khan, “but we want to show the truth.”

A Struggle Over Meaning
The fight over jihad is not just about language. It is about belonging, identity, and democracy itself. When a word that once symbolized striving for good is turned into a political insult, it erodes trust between communities. In India, critics warn it threatens secularism. In the West, it entrenches surveillance and suspicion.

As India heads toward another election season, the slogans are unlikely to fade. But among those still holding onto the sacred meaning of the word, there is determination. “Our jihad,” said farmer Mohammad Arif in Uttar Pradesh, “is simply to live with dignity in our own country.”