So why is the government so focused on Love Jihad in UP when it faces a massive threat on the farm bills? Well, the two are somewhat connected.

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Chaudhary Charan Singh originally forged what was called the MAJGAR alliance (Muslim, Ahir (Yadav), Jat, Gujjar and Rajput) to advocate middle farmer interests in UP. It was based more on interests than on identity.

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The Muslims and the Jats were the cornerstones of this alliance, which through fractured by various factors including Mandal endured almost up to 2013 riots, and still voted

Enter, the love jihad narrative.

This fascinating article traces exactly how what was until then a South Indian story was spread in Muzzafarnagar by the BJP using pamphlets and party workers in the run up to the Muzaffarnagar riots to polarise.



The 2013 riots and subsequent displacement fractured what was left of the alliance and gave the BJP entry into UP.

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