The 2024 Lok Sabha election has brought a unique and intense battleground of words, with social media and homemade content playing a significant role in disseminating messages to the masses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s divine claims sparked a social media frenzy, with opponents like Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal seizing the opportunity to counter his statements.
This election campaign has seen a shift in narrative strategies, with regional parties leveraging local social media networks to reach voters. The BJP’s traditional messaging dominance is now challenged by a multitude of sources, leading to diverse interpretations of political statements.
The explosive creativity in interpreting political messages has marked this campaign season, with both the ruling party and the opposition engaging in a no-holds-barred battle of words. The language of Indian politics has evolved, with new terms like ‘anti-national’ and ‘Urban Naxals’ entering the political lexicon.
However, the rhetoric has escalated beyond hate speech, with threats of arrests and imprisonment targeting opposition leaders. The Election Commission of India’s decision to allow free speech reflects a delicate balance between freedom and the potential for violence in this election season.
(Shikha Mukerjee Is a Kolkata-based senior journalist.)
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author’s own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH.