(Trigger Warning: This piece contains details of hate speech. Exposing hate and communalism is a key focus area in The Quint's reportage. Become a member and help us do more such stories).
If you thought you have seen the media or the right-wing ecosystem term everything as 'Jihad' already, then well, you're in for a surprise.
A wild new claim, another alleged 'Jihad' has entered the market and this time, it's 'Rakhi Jihad.' Ahead of Rakhi celebrations on 9 August, The Quint found out that right from right-wing accounts, to a prominent TV media channel, all are purportedly platforming narrative of 'Rakhi Jihad.'
But how did this new 'Jihad' rhetoric take form? Where did it originate from?
This misinformation — evidently aiming to target Muslims — was borne out of a video reported by a local TV news channel, Pahad TV. The video showcased a collection of Rakhis being sold on Dehradun road, Rishikesh in Uttarakhand.
Among them is a Rakhi which has a moon and the star, and this has become the point of contention, enough to launch 'Jihad' allegations, without rhyme or reason.