The phrase “corporate jihad” has recently been manufactured by hate-mongering elements to defame educated Muslim youth. The city of Nashik, the fourth largest in Maharashtra, India's most industrialised state, has been in the news for two disturbing incidents, revealing troubling patterns in how false narratives are constructed and amplified.

Manufacturing ‘Corporate Jihad’

In the first incident, a police complaint by a Hindu woman alleging sexual harassment by a Muslim colleague triggered a cascade of reactions. The woman, who had been in a relationship with the accused, claimed he had promised marriage but later reneged. This led to swift police action and the activation of vigilante groups, culminating in an undercover investigation.

Subsequently, authorities alleged the existence of a well-organised “conversion racket” within Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), involving seven Muslim employees. They were accused of coercing Hindu colleagues into offering namaz and consuming beef—claims that quickly gained traction in sections of the unquestioning media. The term “corporate jihad” was coined to describe these alleged activities, linking them to the already controversial narrative of “love jihad.”

TCS responded by suspending the accused employees, reiterating its zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, described the allegations as “gravely concerning.”

Fact-Finding and Media Lapses

However, an independent probe by the Citizens Committee Mumbai—comprising members from the Association for Protection of Civil Rights and the People’s Union for Civil Liberties—raised serious doubts about the police findings. Senior journalist Niranjan Takle highlighted inconsistencies in the investigation.

For instance, the alleged “HR chief” accused of orchestrating the racket was, in reality, a tele-caller who had been transferred months earlier. The claim that conversions had been occurring over four years was unsupported by evidence—no instance of conversion to Islam was found. Ironically, one confirmed case involved a Christian woman converting to Hinduism.

The committee also dismissed the allegation that employees were being forced to consume beef, calling it implausible. Questions were raised about the primary accusation of rape as well, noting that the complainant had been in contact with the accused’s wife and had voluntarily travelled with him.

Human rights activist Teesta Setalvad suggested that the episode appeared designed to stigmatise Muslim professionals and discourage their employment. The committee criticised sections of the media for failing to verify facts before amplifying inflammatory claims.

Selective Outrage and Expanding Hate Narratives

This episode reflects a broader pattern. Narratives such as “Hindus in danger,” “love jihad,” and now “corporate jihad” are repeatedly invoked to reinforce communal anxieties. These narratives often take hold rapidly, while factual corrections emerge slowly and receive far less attention.

The contrast becomes even starker when compared to another incident in Nashik. A self-styled godman, Ashok Kharat, was accused of sexually exploiting women through deception and intimidation. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, this case received limited media attention and did not provoke outrage from vigilante groups such as Bajrang Dal—possibly because it lacked a communal angle.

The pattern is not new. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the term “corona jihad” was similarly used to stigmatise Muslims, leading to calls for economic and social boycotts. Today, such rhetoric continues to evolve, targeting livelihoods and deepening social divisions.

While large-scale sectarian violence may appear to have declined, a more insidious form of “sub-radar” violence persists—manifesting in everyday discrimination, economic exclusion, and the systematic marginalisation of minority communities.

The Way Forward

Authorities must ensure transparent and impartial investigations, free from political or communal bias. Corporations like TCS should proactively counter misinformation and reinstate employees found to be innocent. At the same time, the Indian media must uphold professional standards of verification and accountability.

Unchecked propaganda, combined with institutional bias and media complicity, creates a dangerous environment that normalises prejudice. If left unaddressed, such trends will continue to erode social cohesion and democratic values.

(The author is a former professor at IIT Bombay and Chairman of the Centre for the Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai. Views expressed are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of South Asia Monitor.)