A Coward's Political Weapon

A COWARD’S POLITICAL WEAPON Troll Armies Go on Settling Scores KV Lakshmana* Trolling – loosely defined as an the principal opposition party the overall perception that it act of making a deliberately then, the Bharatiya Janata Party was a government steeped in offensive or provocative online (BJP) raised an army of online corruption and unable to take post with the aim of upsetting warriors for the electoral battle key policy decisions that affected someone or eliciting an angry in 2014. Trolling as a political the pace of economic growth in response – is often used in India weapon did add to the overall the country. as an online weapon of slaying armoury of a very powerful political enemies. and successful BJP campaign It was only much later, after to anoint Narendra Modi as Modi romped home with a brute It can easily be described as the the Prime Minister. More so, majority, that the Congress woke most distasteful misuse of social because the narrative was built up to the beast called social media to tarnish the image of around presenting Modi as a media and began to engage an opponent. All India Congress tough leader who would slay with it. Here, the old guard and Committee (AICC) president the demons of corruption, bring even the not-so-old guard of Rahul Gandhi has been a fair back the black money and fulfil the party were all at sea till a game for the countless trolls the aspirations of a nation hungry young and creatively-inclined who took pot shots at him, for growth. party leader from Karnataka, lampooned him and uncharitably Divya Spandana, also a popular dubbed him a Pappu (immature, How trolling helped the BJP actress, took charge of the social incompetent or a bumbling was in making its opponent media activity in May last year. fool), ever since social media – the UPA government of And within no time, she began emerged as a powerful medium Dr Manmohan Singh and a to make a difference, showing for political messaging. At a time Congress party led by Rahul that even the Congress party when the rest of the political Gandhi and his mother Sonia could play the game and match parties were still oblivious to the Gandhi – look ugly and repulsive the BJP internet warriors on an power and capabilities of social to the voter. The Congress did equal footing. What she did media in shaping perceptions, itself no favours by adding to with her witty, pungent and *Lakshmana Venkat Kuchi is a Bangalore based freelance writer tracking social and political changes across the country. COMMON CAUSE | Vol. XXXVII No. 4 October-December, 2018 | 27 generated huge amount of abuse and criticism for showing disrespect to the Prime Minister. While politicians have largely escaped facing action, a Manipuri journalist was not so lucky, as he was sentenced to a year in jail for criticising Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the latest in a series of penal actions against media persons and those criticising the government. Several media associations have demanded the release of Kishorechandra Wangkhem, detained under the National Security Act for 12 months. A local TV journalist in Manipur, Wangkhem had uploaded a video on social media in which he criticised the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister. This arrest is being seen hard-hitting tweets targeting one-line tweets. Soon, ministers as a warning to independent- the ruling dispensation was to were holding press conferences minded media persons to mend occupy the digital space with to counter Rahul Gandhi, whom their ways and has brought the a Congress narrative. Till then they continuously attack on issue of freedom of speech and the BJP had a field day with no Twitter. Clearly, the game is on expression under sharper focus one to challenge it in an arena and the Congress too is very once again as the country gets that appeals to the youth voters’ much in the field. And a few of ready to get into election mode. segments that live a digital life. its leaders and workers have also The arrest has been condemned hit back with equal and opposite by some of India’s most Spandana is also a former force by trolling. The Congress respected media associations and member of Lok Sabha from too is now staffed with its own IT civil rights groups. Mandya, in Karnataka. She is army to take on the BJP’s famed Although the jury is out on widely believed to be the person IT cell. looking at the tweets emanating whether the video by the from the official handle of Rahul Divya Spandana herself has Manipur TV journalist constituted Gandhi, which since then are got into trouble with a few of trolling, there is no denying that being watched with a bit of her controversial tweets. Most trolling per se has tremendous jitter by the right wingers. The recently her post on the Statue harm potential. It damages the Pappu of yore – lampooned as a of Unity with the picture of Modi image of an individual or an novice and failed politician – was ji standing near the gigantic entity, often leaving the victim beginning to get under the skin statue of Sardar Patel with the with little or no recourse. A of the BJP leaders with his catchy caption – “Is that bird dropping?” case in point is that of the Tamil 28 | October-December, 2018 COMMON CAUSE | Vol. XXXVII No. 4 singer Chinmayi Sripaada from those holding Constitutional No one is safe from trolls who Chennai, who was trolled for positions follow people who provide ammunition to hate airing accusations of sexual spew venom and hatred in their campaigns. Also a close cousin harassment against noted lyricist tweets? However, this did not of trolling is fake news, which is Vairamuthu. She had the courage stop the Bengaluru police from described variously as deliberate to speak out her #MeToo story arresting Mahesh Vikram Hegde disinformation or hoaxes. This and became the target of abusive in July for allegedly spreading trolls. A few of her friends like false information about a Jain battery of lies, in turn whips actress Samantha Nagarjuna monk being attacked by a up frenzy and can lead to mob jumped into the arena to her Muslim youth. According to violence, lynching or communal rescue. She stood her ground the police, the monk had been clashes. As technology can and fought back the trolls. injured in an accident. Hedge, spread such messages with one of the founders of Postcard When it comes to the field of electrifying speed and vitiate News, a publication leaning politics, digital assassination has the atmosphere, checking this towards right wing ideology, huge impact in India, which has becomes imperative. Often, the had no less a person than the a growing internet penetration Prime Minister following him. authority resorts to snapping and rapid spread of Facebook, In fact, critics of the PM have the internet and suspending Twitter, WhatsApp and YouTube. raised questions on why he telecom services till the situation The troll/meme industry is one followed some individuals whose is brought under control. of the biggest in certain states tweets contained objectionable in India. Such is the impact material. Between May 2017 and April of trolls that even established 2018, there were as many as 82 personalities can be demolished The digital attacks have no instances of internet shutdown in no time. For the political boundaries and could be in India. Says former NASSCOM parties, much to their grief, this launched from anywhere against Chairman Kiran Karnik in was the takeaway of 2014. anyone. Even union ministers are not entirely free from this his latest book, Evolution, The social media soldiers of the menace as the relentless trolling Decoding India’s Disruptive BJP, by then the most efficiently of External Affairs Minister Tech Story: “The romantic idea managed social media outfit, Sushma Swaraj showed. Swaraj of technologies of freedom successfully worked on the came under attack from vicious minds of the masses, and made has been neutralized by the trolls for issuing a passport to a difference to its campaign. harsh truths of the real world.” an inter-faith couple. A Twitter The party also picked its targets In the strife-torn border state goon wondered if it was her and unleashed trolls who were of Jammu and Kashmir, often “Islamic Kidney” which needed satirical, witty and acerbic. It internet shutdowns are enforced to be blamed for her decision used comedy, when needed, of passport issuance. One to maintain law and order, but, to tarnish the image of an troll suggested that Swaraj’s in the case of trolls across India, ideological opponent. What the situation and the threat made the digital assassination husband be beaten up. of character easy was that the Congress spokesperson Priyanka perception are different. Which perpetrators could do anything Chaturvedi too became a target is why, the trolls are free to carry while hiding behind the screen of the troll army. A troll had out their concerted sniper attacks of anonymity. issued rape threat against her from wherever they may be 10-year-old daughter. However, located. But what can the law swift action was taken by the enforcement agencies do if police in this case. COMMON CAUSE | Vol. XXXVII No. 4 October-December, 2018 | 29.

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