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Coordinates: 31°31′27″N 34°26′39″E / 31.52417°N 34.44417°E / 31.52417; 34.44417
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Bhagwa Love Trap (BLT, transl. Saffron Love Trap) is a conspiracy theory that originated in social media.[1][2][3] The conspiracy theory alleges that Hindu men attempt to lure Muslim women into relationships with the intention of converting them into Hindus. Prominent within some Islamist right-wing groups in India,[2] the Bhagwa Love Trap conspiracy theory counters the allegations of the love jihad conspiracy theory, which claims that Muslim men seek to convert Hindu women through deceptive means.

History

[edit]

The concept of the "Bhagwa Love Trap" gained attention through social media platforms around mid 2020, where various posts sought to raise awareness about the perceived "threat" posed by Hindu men attempting to attract Muslim women. Pictures of a Hindu boy and a Muslim girl were posted on social media channels like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram and were labelled as alleged bhagwalovetrap.[1] Supporters of this narrative often cite statements and speeches made by certain Hindutva groups and leaders as evidence.[4][5][6]

In 2017, the Hindu Jagran Manch (HJM), an affiliate group of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), launched a campaign called "Beti Bachao, Bahu Lao" (Save Daughters, Bring Daughters-in-law), which encouraged Hindu men to marry Muslim women. The group claimed that it would facilitate the weddings of 2,100 such couples in the coming months, framing it as a measure to counter "Love Jihad" and promote "population control."[5]

Street harassment, moral policing and doxxing

[edit]

Concerns have also been raised about incidents of Muslim vigilantism, where groups of young Muslim men have confronted Muslim girls found in the company of non-Muslim boys. These encounters have resulted in verbal abuse, physical intimidation, and in some cases, violence against both the girls and their companions.[5][4] Marriage certificates are posted on Instagram as bhagwalovetrap.[5] Journalists were threatened and trolled for opposing the on-street harassment of Muslim girls.[1] Hindu boys and Muslim girls are surrounded by a group of men and are forced to reveal their names, niqabs pulled and filmed.[5] Cases of mob harassing Muslim girls in burqa and niqab are seen in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Hyderabad, and other parts of Telangana.[2]

BBC reports that despite the lack of evidence supporting the conspiracies of "Bhagwa Love Trap" and "love jihad", the spread of this misinformation has had a significant negative impact on interfaith couples in India, leading to violence, harassment, and further hindering the acceptance of interfaith relationships in the country.[7]

Controversies

[edit]

The term "Bhagwa Love Trap" emerged as a purported reverse of the "Love Jihad" narrative, claiming that Hindu boys pose as Muslims to attract Muslim girls and eventually convert them to Hinduism. However, there is a scarcity of reliable data or verifiable sources to substantiate these claims made by individuals within the Muslim community.[5][8]

Certain Hindu organizations have publicly expressed views suggesting the "claiming" of Muslim girls, which has been criticized for objectifying women and fostering fear within the Muslim community regarding their future in the country. Additionally, there have been instances of Hindu individuals engaging in online activities, such as "auctioning" Muslim girls, which have drawn condemnation. However, the existence of a grand conspiracy behind the alleged conversion of Muslim girls remains unverified.[5][4]

On 16 June 2023, Hindu Dharma Sena, a right-wing religious organization, declared a cash incentive of Rs 11,000 (US$1 = 82 INR) for any Hindu male who chooses to elope with and marry a Muslim girl.[9]

Responses and consequences

[edit]

In response to the perceived "Bhagwa Love Trap," the Muslim community has taken counter measures like increased vigilance and surveillance of girls, leading to heightened policing and in some cases, harassment.[10] Certain videos and messages circulating within the community advise Muslim parents to monitor their daughters' activities, restrict their access to mobile phones, and enroll them exclusively in Muslim-only schools to prevent interactions with individuals from other religions.[11]

Critics argue that such actions contribute to the further exclusion and marginalization of Muslim women. Instead, they advocate the empowerment of girls through education, enabling them to make informed decisions about their life and relationships.[11][5]

Instances of moral policing by some individuals, particularly among youngsters, have been observed to be on the rise. Social media, including right-wing content, has played a role in disseminating incendiary videos that caution Muslim girls/women against befriending Hindu boys/men. However, there have been reports of misinterpretation of these messages, leading to incidents of moral policing by young Muslim men in Hyderabad, particularly when the girl/woman involved is Muslim. In response to this trend, some organizations in Hyderabad, such as the 'Iqra Bismi' CTI Institute, are organizing awareness programs to address the issue. One such program was scheduled on May 20 at Kabutar Khana, Hussaini Alam, with the topic of "How to Protect Our Sisters & Daughters from Apostasy In This Perfidy Time?". The program aimed to provide information and educate the community on the topic of growing interfaith friendships. Noted Muslim scholars were expected to participate in the event. These efforts seek to address the concerns surrounding moral policing and foster understanding among different faiths.[12]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Aafaq, Zafar (17 June 2023). "'Bhagw trap': A social media conspiracy theory has divided India's Muslims". Scroll.in. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Kumar, Vipul (27 June 2023). "Meet The Conspiracy Theorists Of 'Bhagwa Love Trap'". www.boomlive.in. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  3. ^ Ahmed, Kalim (29 June 2023). "'Bhagwa Love Trap': An elaborate conspiracy theory in response to the 'Love Jihad' narrative". Alt News. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Singh, D.N. (31 May 2023). "'Bhagwa Love Trap' takes a menacing shape in India". Mobile News 24x7 English. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Khan, Fatima (31 May 2023). "Muslim Women Seen with Hindu Men Harassed, Doxed - All In the Name of 'Bhagwa Love Trap'". TheQuint. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  6. ^ "'बहन तू भगवा लव ट्रैप में ना फंसना': इंदौर में बांटे विवादित पर्चे; बजरंग दल-RSS पर 10 लाख लड़कियों का धर्म बदलवाने का आरोप". Dainik Bhaskar (in Hindi). 24 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  7. ^ Menon, Shruti (23 November 2023). "Bhagwa Love Trap: A new Indian online trend causing real-world harm". BBC. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  8. ^ "मुस्लिम लड़कियां जब हिंदुओं को अपना जीवन साथी चुनतीं हैं तो... भगवा लव ट्रैप को लेकर क्‍या बोलीं मंत्री उषा ठाकुर" [MP Minister Usha Thakur statement on bhagwa love trap when muslim girls choose hindus as their life partners]. Navbharat Times (in Hindi). 26 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Hindu outfit announces reward for Hindu boys to marry Muslim girls". The Statesman. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  10. ^ कास्कर, ज़ीशान (1 June 2023). "क्या 'भगवा लव ट्रैप' के नाम पर हो रहा है मुस्लिम युवतियों का उत्पीड़न?". The Wire - Hindi. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  11. ^ a b "Is There A Bhagwa/Saffron Love Trap For Muslim Girls?". SabrangIndia. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
  12. ^ Alamgir, Mir (19 May 2023). "Hyderabad: Moral policing of interfaith couples on the rise?". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 3 June 2023.

Al-Shifa ambulance airstrike
Part of the siege of Gaza City, the Israel–Hamas war and the alleged Gaza genocide
Al-Shifa is located in the Gaza Strip
Al-Shifa
Al-Shifa
Location within the Gaza Strip
LocationAl-Shifa Hospital, Gaza City, Gaza Strip
Coordinates31°31′27″N 34°26′39″E / 31.52417°N 34.44417°E / 31.52417; 34.44417
Date3 November 2023
TargetAmbulances
Attack type
Airstrike
Deaths15 civilians (per PRCS)[1]
Injured60+ civilians (per PRCS)[1]
Perpetrator Israeli Air Force

On 3 November 2023, amid the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip and siege of Gaza City, an Israeli airstrike hit an ambulance convoy departing from al-Shifa Hospital carrying critically injured patients.[2] The strike killed 15 people and wounded at least 60.[2] The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS), which was part of the convoy,[2] said that all 15 people killed were civilians.[1] The airstrike also caused damage to the hospital itself.[3]

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged that it carried out the airstrike,[4] and said that Hamas militants were killed in the attack[5][6][7] and that one of the ambulances was being used to transport Hamas personnel and weaponry.[8] The Gaza Health Ministry denied any military use of the ambulances.[9] Human Rights Watch said it "did not find evidence that the ambulance was being used for military purposes". The Washington Post analyzed the videos and found no evidence of weapons or individuals in military clothing.[6] Human Rights Watch further added that under IHL ambulances must not be attacked, even if they transport wounded combatants, and said the attack could be a war crime.[10][11]

The attack was condemned by the World Health Organization.[12]

Background

[edit]

Before the attack and since the start of the war, Israel had attacked 7 other PRCS ambulances, and killed 4 of its personnel, the organization said.[13][14]

Al-Shifa Hospital is the largest medical facility in the Gaza Strip.[8] In the week before the attack, the IDF said that al-Shifa was "the site of a significant Hamas command and control center".[8]

On 16 October 2023, Israel ordered Al Shifa Hospital, and the rest of northern Gaza, to evacuate. Because of insufficient beds in the southern Gaza Strip and no means of transporting patients, such as newborns in incubators or patients on ventilators, the evacuation orders were widely regarded as impossible to comply with.[15]

On 1 November 2023, it was announced that the Rafah Border Crossing would be open for foreign nationals and seriously injured patients.[16] Hamas initially proposed evacuating wounded Hamas fighters as part of limited evacuations, but this was rejected.[17]

On 2 November 2023, the IDF encircled Gaza City in the context of the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip.[18][19]

Airstrike

[edit]

The Israeli airstrike came as an ambulance convoy departing from al-Shifa Hospital carrying 15-20 critically injured patients.[20][9][21] The convoy had been bound for the recently reopened Rafah crossing with Egypt when it came under attack.[20][9][21] The convoy was attacked at multiple locations, including outside of the hospital gate and at Ansar Square.[9][21] The strike killed 15 civilians, according to the PRCS.[1] Gazan health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra stated that 15 people had been killed and 60 wounded.[7]

Following the strike, graphic footage emerged on social media of about a dozen people lying prone amid pools of blood, as people rushed to help.[9] Also at the scene was a dead horse tied to a cart, as well as a blood-splattered Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance.[12] Palestinian health authorities had announced the departure of the ambulance convoy in advance.[9] Al-Qudra stated: "We informed the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, we informed the whole world, that those victims were lined up in those ambulances. This was a medical convoy."[20] The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed to CNN that they received a request to escort the convoy, but said that it was ultimately not part of the convoy.[8] The ICRC added “No doctors, nurses, or any medical professionals should ever die while working to save lives.”[22]

The Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed that one of its ambulances was hit, though its staff were unharmed. However, a spokesperson noted that the area of the strike was hit was "extremely crowded" with civilians at the time.[20]

The hospital director stated that the names of the injured in the ambulance convoy were on a list of authorized evacuees, and Egypt's health ministry that only 17 of the anticipated 28 injured evacuees passed into Egypt on 3 November 2023 as a result of the airstrike.[23][24]

Israel stated that it only struck one ambulance, though the Palestinian Red Crescent disputed this, saying Israel had targeted multiple different ambulances.[13]

Witnesses of the airstrike

[edit]

Bisan Owda, a Palestinian journalist, happened to be nearby when the attack occurred. She recounted to the BBC the harrowing scene of individuals losing their limbs and struggling to carry the injured, while others were desperately searching for relatives. Moreover, apart from the patients seeking medical assistance at Al-Shifa, numerous individuals had sought refuge from the Israeli air strikes in that vicinity.[25]

War crime

[edit]
See also: Israeli war crimes in the Israel–Hamas war

A number of sources have expressed concern that the Israeli airstrike could constitute a war crime. Attacks on healthcare facilities, such as ambulances, may amount to a violation of International humanitarian law.[3]

Presence of militants

[edit]

The Israeli military confirmed the strike, stating its assessment that one of the ambulances was being used by a "Hamas terrorist cell",[9] and that Hamas fighters were killed in the strike.[20][9] The Israeli military provided no evidence for these statements,[26] but stated it shared details with unnamed "agencies".[27] Hamas said none of its fighters were present in the ambulance convoy.[28][29]

Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated it found no evidence of any military usage of the ambulances. HRW interviewed interviewed several witnesses, including an Anadolu Agency journalist and verified that his photos and videos placed him at the time and location of the airstrike.[10] The Washington Post reported that video of the aftermath "showed women and children among the casualties, and no weapons or individuals wearing military clothing could be seen".[30]

Military presence doesn't necessarily justify attack

[edit]

Human Rights Watch pointed out, under International humanitarian law, hospitals and ambulances have a protected status, even if they are used to provide medical care to enemy fighters.[10] The ambulances only lose their protected status if they commit “acts harmful to the enemy,” such as transporting ammunition or healthy fighters. HRW did not find any evidence of such military usage in this case.[10]

Sari Bashi noted that Israel itself stated that Hamas fighters were merely leaving the hospital, not attacking from it.[11] Bashi said this statement by Israel would indicate Israel has not accepted IHL rules that protect ambulances.[11]

Children and civilian casualties

[edit]

Human Rights Watch pointed out that there was a number of civilian casualties, including children, who were killed and wounded. It said deliberate attacks on civilian targets where there are no military objectives present are prohibited.[10] Even if a military objective was present, the attack could still be a war crime, because the high number of civilian casualties was disproportionate to the likely military objective.[10]

ICRC

[edit]

The ICRC informed CNN that it had been asked to accompany the convoy before its departure. Although it was informed about the planned transfer of a convoy transporting injured patients from northern Gaza to the southern part of the enclave on Friday, the ICRC clarified in a subsequent statement that it was not involved in the convoy. It said that "any violence towards medical personnel is unacceptable," and that "No doctors, nurses, or any medical professionals should ever die while working to save lives.”[22]

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins

[edit]

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) doctor at Al Shifa hospital, said that they "were standing inside the hospital gate at the time that the mentioned ambulance was directly hit in front of us. On the other hand, there were bloody bodies everywhere. Many of them were killed immediately, while we rushed the other ones to the operating room for emergency care, [...] We have repeatedly called for an immediate and total ceasefire, for the protection of healthcare facilities, as well as medics, patients and people who are taking shelter there."[31]

Inside the ambulance

[edit]

Abdelsalam Barakat, a Palestinian nurse, found himself inside an ambulance in north Gaza, attempting to transport patients with skull and chest fractures. However, the situation quickly turned terrifying as explosions from Israeli air strikes shook the ambulance, placing both him and his patients in a precarious position between life and death.

Barakat reported that the initial attack occurred at a roundabout a short distance from the hospital, resulting in injuries to a paramedic and a passenger in one of the ambulances. The second strike took place near the hospital gate as the convoy was returning after abandoning their attempt to travel south. This attack hit an ambulance in front of Barakat's vehicle, resulting in the death of a paramedic and others in close proximity. Amidst the horrifying scene of bodies lying in pools of blood, Barakat's vehicle swiftly departed from the chaos and made its way towards the central ambulance station, approximately 1.2 km away. Along the way, they encountered additional attacks that shook them. Eventually, they transported the patients back to al-Shifa, further away from any possibility of evacuation and in a deteriorated condition compared to before.[32]

Reactions

[edit]

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that he was, "utterly shocked by reports of attacks on ambulances evacuating patients close to Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza, leading to deaths, injuries and damage."[20][12] UN chief António Guterres stated he was "horrified" by the attack.[33] Doctors Without Borders condemned the ambulance attack.[34]

On 7 November, Human Rights Watch determined that the strike was "apparently unlawful and should be investigated as a possible war crime", noting that ambulances and other medical transportation must be allowed to function and be protected in all circumstances". It added that the use of ambulanced for military purposes would also be against the rules of war, but it had found no evidence of this.[10] Remarking on an IDF spokesman telling an Israeli outlet that day "Our forces saw terrorists using ambulances as a vehicle to move around. They perceived a threat and accordingly we struck that ambulance", Human Rights Watch said ambulances would only lose their protections under international law if they were committing "acts harmful" to Israel, with their Middle East and North Africa director saying "For the Israeli authorities to claim that their deadly November 3 attack on an ambulance in a crowded area was lawful, they need to do more than just insist that Palestinian fighters were using an ambulance as transport."[10]

The UN's undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, Martin Griffiths, emphasized that hospitals should not be treated as battlegrounds. "He stressed the importance of prioritizing the safety of newborns, patients, medical personnel, and all civilians above all else," Griffiths added.[35]

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society released a statement saying "PRCS emphasises that the deliberate targeting of medical teams constitutes a grave violation of the Geneva Conventions, a war crime, and that the parties to the four Geneva Conventions are legally bound to ensure the protection of medical teams and civilians under all circumstances."[36]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Palestinian Red Crescent condemns Israeli strike on Gaza ambulance convoy". L'Orient Today. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Israeli air strike on ambulances kills 15, injures 60, Gaza officials say". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  3. ^ a b Administrator. "Attacks on health care in Gaza Strip unacceptable, says WHO". World Health Organization - Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  4. ^ Fabian, Emanuel (3 November 2023). "IDF says it carried out airstrike on ambulance being used by Hamas cell in northern Gaza". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Palestinian Red Crescent says 15 killed in strike on ambulance convoy". BBC News. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  6. ^ a b Morris, Loveday; Dadouch, Sarah; Kelly, Meg; Hill, Evan (3 November 2023). "Israel launches deadly strike on ambulance outside hospital in Gaza". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023.
  7. ^ a b Zraick, Karen; Abuheweila, Iyad (3 November 2023). "Many are killed near a Gaza hospital, its chief says, in a strike the Israelis say was aimed at Hamas". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d Carey, Andrew; John, Tara; Flower, Kevin (4 November 2023). "Israel admits airstrike on ambulance near hospital that witnesses say killed and wounded dozens". CNN. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h "Israel strikes ambulance near Gaza hospital, 15 reported killed". Reuters. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h "Gaza: Israeli Ambulance Strike Apparently Unlawful". HRW. 7 November 2023.
  11. ^ a b c Myre, Greg. "The Geneva Conventions protect hospitals during war. But the safeguard isn't absolute". National Public Radio.
  12. ^ a b c "WHO chief 'shocked' by Israeli strike on Gaza ambulance". Agence France-Presse. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023 – via France 24.
  13. ^ a b "Palestine Red Crescent labels Israel bombing near Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital a 'war crime'". www.jurist.org. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  14. ^ "PRCS Statement on The Israeli Occupation Forces shelling of the Ambulance Convoy transporting the injured from the aggression on #Gaza towards Rafah crossing border on November 3rd 2023". X (formerly Twitter). Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  15. ^ Abdulrahim, Raja (15 October 2023). "Gaza's Hospitals Face 'Impossible' Choices With Israel Evacuation Order". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  16. ^ Beaumont, Peter (1 November 2023). "Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt opens for limited evacuation". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023.
  17. ^ Lebowitz, Megan (3 November 2023). "White House provides insight to Rafah crossing negotiations". NBC News. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023.
  18. ^ Lieber, Dov; Cloud, David S. (2 November 2023). "Israeli Forces Cut Gaza in Two, Isolating North of Besieged Enclave". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023.
  19. ^ Michaelis, Tamar (2 November 2023). "The Israeli military has encircled Gaza City, IDF spokesman says". CNN. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  20. ^ a b c d e f "Several killed in Israeli attack on ambulance convoy: Gaza health ministry". Al Jazeera. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023.
  21. ^ a b c "New Israeli airstrikes hit Al-Shifa hospital, al-Rashid road as Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip continues". The New Arab.
  22. ^ a b Israel admits airstrike on ambulance near hospital that witnesses say killed and wounded dozens Retrieved 18 January 2024
  23. ^ "Red Crescent says 15 killed in strike on Gaza ambulance outside Al-Shifa hospital". BBC News. 4 November 2023. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023.
  24. ^ Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (4 November 2023). "U.N. and medical agencies condemn Israel's Gaza ambulance strike". Reuters. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023.
  25. ^ The Palestinian Red Crescent says at least 15 people have been killed in an Israeli strike on an ambulance outside Gaza City's biggest hospital. Retrieved 18 January 2024
  26. ^ Al-Mughrabi, Nidal; Lewis, Simon; Alkousaa, Riham; Al-Mughrabi, Nidal; Alkousaa, Riham (3 November 2023). "Israel strikes Gaza ambulance; Netanyahu rejects halt without hostage release". Reuters. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  27. ^ "Israeli army confirms ambulance attack". EFE. 3 November 2023. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023.
  28. ^ Da Silva, Chantal (4 November 2023). "Israel says it hit an ambulance used by Hamas. Gaza officials say it was carrying the wounded". NBC News. Archived from the original on 4 November 2023.
  29. ^ Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (4 November 2023). "U.N. and medical agencies condemn Israel's Gaza ambulance strike". Reuters. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  30. ^ Morris, Loveday; Dadouch, Sarah; Kelly, Meg; Hill, Evan (3 November 2023). "Israel launches deadly strike on ambulance outside hospital in Gaza". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  31. ^ Gaza: Attack on ambulance outside Al-Shifa hospital Retrieved 18 January 2024
  32. ^ Nurse Describes Havoc of Gaza Ambulance Convoy Hit by Israeli Strike Retrieved 18 January 2024
  33. ^ "UN secretary-general 'horrified' by Israel's attack on ambulances". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  34. ^ "Gaza: Attack on ambulance outside Al-Shifa hospital". doctorswithoutborders.ca. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  35. ^ "'Hospitals are not battlegrounds': World reacts to Israel's al-Shifa raid". Al Jazeera. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  36. ^ Palestine Red Crescent labels Israel bombing near Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital a ‘war crime’
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