Beware the Demon of Love Jihad! The Gendered and Sexual Abjectification of Muslim Masculinities by Hindu Nationalists on Twitter

In this paper, I examine the Twitter accounts of right-wing extremist groups (RWEGs) in India, arguing that the abjectification of Muslim masculinities is central to the narratives of Hindu supremacist groups. The abjectification process on Twitter serves as a rhetorical device to: a) criticize and problematize Muslim masculinities; b) idealize and glorify Hindu and white masculinities; c) promote Hindu and white masculine nationalist projects; and d) unify Hindu supremacists against Muslim others. By analyzing the gender ideologies expressed implicitly or explicitly on the Twitter accounts of RWEGs, and using the “Love Jihad” conspiracy case as a focal point, I demonstrate how the abjectification of Muslim masculinities is constructed in opposition to the idealized Hindu masculinities. This study highlights the intersection of gender and nationalism in the digital discourse of Hindu supremacist groups, offering insights into the mechanisms through which social media platforms are used to reinforce and propagate Islamophobic ideologies.

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