Everyday Communalism | Business Losses, Denied Healthcare— How 'Covid Jihad' Propaganda Hurt Muslims

In March 2020, as Covid struck the world, it had a peculiar impact in India. A Tablighi Jamaat congregation in New Delhi was declared as one of the first hotspots, following which a section of the mainstream media vilified and demonised the group. Fake news of Tablighi Jamaat members misbehaving with hospital staff was circulated, and 9 pm news anchors coined terms like 'Thook Jihad' and 'Corona Jihad', which led to many ordinary Muslims being discriminated against. In Uttar Pradesh, Muslim-run businesses were hurt, inter-community relationships took a toll, and some even found themselves being denied access to healthcare. While the propaganda was at its peak in the initial days of Covid, the ramifications of it were felt till well after.