A tableau promoting the anti-Muslim conspiracy theory of “love jihad” was displayed during a Hindu new year and Gudi Padwa procession organised by VHP-Bajrang Dal. The display featured a refrigerator and mutilated dolls, symbolising the dismembered body parts of a woman.
Hindu nationalist speaker Gautam Khattar, speaking at a Gudi Padwa event, claimed that Islam does not teach peace and alleged that Hindus are being massacred. He criticised Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for attending an Iftar party and for claiming that Islam promotes peace. He alleged that Indian Muslims indulge in “land jihad” in the name of graves, claiming that Islam does not permit it. He further claimed that all the “Chadars and Fathers” are only visible in this country. He also glorified cow vigilantes and peddled the conspiracy theory of “love jihad,” alleging that money offered at mazars is used to indulge in “love jihad” against Hindu women. Citing Bangladesh and Pakistan, he claimed that the “jihadi mindset” is the same across borders, as they read the same religious text. He urged Hindus to buy Navaratri food and flowers only from Hindus, alleging that others might have spat on them, and termed halal-certification a conspiracy.