Thook Jihad or Spit Jihad is a Hindu nationalist conspiracy theory that emerged in India during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The conspiracy is based on the claim that Muslim fruit and vegetable vendors deliberately spit on their produce to transmit the virus. Since then, the claim has evolved into a broader narrative accusing Muslims of intentionally contaminating food to render it impure for Hindus, thereby violating Hindu norms of religious purity.
Background and Context
As part of a broader campaign to demonize Muslims, the conspiracy theory first blamed the 2020 Tablighi Jamaat religious gathering in New Delhi (pejoratively dubbed “Corona Jihad”) for spreading COVID-19. After those claims were debunked, the focus shifted to accusing Muslim vendors of deliberately spitting on their produce.
Fake videos and doctored clips amplified these allegations, fueling calls to boycott Muslim-owned businesses and reinforcing efforts to economically and socially marginalize Muslim communities, especially those working in the food trade. Old, unrelated footage from various countries was recirculated as “evidence.” A related variant, Urine Jihad, falsely claims that Muslim vendors contaminate their goods with urine. These accusations have sparked physical attacks against Muslim juice vendors and other Muslim-led small businesses.
Impact and Harm
The term has fueled economic boycotts of Muslim-owned eateries and fresh-produce sellers by instilling widespread fear and paranoia. In response, some BJP-led state governments have enacted laws grounded in this conspiracy theory that criminalize the alleged contamination of food with spit, urine, or dirt, prescribing fines and imprisonment for offenders. The laws exploit legitimate food safety concerns as a veneer for targeting Muslim businesses.
Variants and Alternative Forms
थूक जिहाद पेशाब जिहाद Urine Jihad
Online Usage
