We don’t know what exactly the BJP says to the voter through multiple channels of below-the-radar messaging. That’s why voter behaviour takes us by surprise.
Apart from its usual strategy of aggressively hitting the streets to protest, Samajwadi Party is now also seeking to bolster its online campaigns to counter BJP on several issues.
These findings may lend ammunition to the Trump administration, which banned TikTok and WeChat after accusing them of bending to China's will in censoring content.
In an interview with ThePrint, Divya Spandana aka Ramya, former Congress social media chief, talks about an unsavoury experience with Facebook and her plans ahead.
Manish Tewari’s mention of US-based policy expert Bharath Gopalaswamy in the letter has led BJP leader Amit Malviya to accuse him of using a lobbyist to influence FB.
What instigated the outrage against Facebook’s alleged political bias in India is an attempt to coerce platforms to take sides in the US Presidential campaign.
According to BJP leader Vinit Goenka, Twitter is also abetting terrorism by accepting advertisements from pro-Khalistani groups such as Sikhs For Justice.
The fresh guidelines issued by the Central Industrial Security Force on 31 July said violators and defaulters of these rules will face 'strict legal and disciplinary action'.
As per the BMC, there are 1,025 officially approved hoardings in the city right now. However, any Mumbaikar can tell you that number is a ludicrous underestimate.
Latest report by UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs says global growth to be faster than estimated earlier & India’s 'robust performance' to boost South Asia’s growth.
The Spanish foreign minister says 'the Middle East does not need more weapons, it needs more peace'. Spain has been very critical of Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
Discussion about outcome of Lok Sabha polls continues to boil in cauldron of expectations only from BJP. Now reverse this equation, what if we asked about the performance of the 'loser'?
The reason is Journalists who were fed by 60 years misrule and crushing Hinduism feel discomfort. There is hardly any political leader in the opposition who is making sensible speech to make voters understand why they should vote out. They themselves are telling NAMO is encouraging Hindutva. But in reality it is not so. He is taking help of every one due to their weakness. This the opposition leaders are not exposing. The very fact that senior leaders in INC are not dare enough to take over INC mantle and take it forward to rule the country. Farooq Abdulla proves through is statements that what NAMO did in scrapping 370 is good.
This is news creating not reporting. For these kind of stupid articles are you guys are asking for Money ? The quote is Quality Journalism doesn’t come cheap. But to be a subscriber, I don’t want to read these kind of cheap articles.
This was true last year. But now people realise on the ground what is the truth. Any person may write and forward anything. They understand and ignore. They are looking what is coming into their plate and account and not what is coming on screen. They are also not giving opinion openly as they don’t want abusive trolls coming their way. So silent revolution happening
Really ? But there is little sign of that happening.
I have read many articles regarding lockdown failure but none of the articles have suggested any other way to control covid and if this was such a bad idea why did the most efficient chief minister according to ENGLISH press like kejriwal Amarainder singh enforced it on the very onset even before modi announced it
‘I have read many articles regarding lockdown failure but none of the articles have suggested any other way to control covid’
You have not read enough my boy. Clapping hands, taking out processions, and lighting lamps, and advising Covid papad, and running PM Cares Fund without accountability is not the way of the world. Announcing lockdown in 4h without arrangements for migrant workers showed the same cynicism as demonetisation. The Indian curve has not reached a peak – whereas most countries have. India is on target to become the largest carrier of Covid. When that becomes widely known, it affects business as people will be afraid to come India – including all the BJP Hindus sitting abroad.
The only place in India that did a good job on planning for Covid is Kerala. Not only they planned for its control early, they even planned and housed the migrants and did not turn them out to walk 2500 km to the north. Read about them – in the international press. The BBC asked the Kerala Health Minister Shailaja what she could teach Britain. The World Bank held meetings with the Kerala govt. to understand and learn.
In contrast, Modi and his govt. showed incompetence. It has gone out of their control, they have given up. Amit Shah might be a victim.
I agree with you.
I didn’t know anything about Modi before 2014 apart from the 2002 episode. I can’t vote being an NRI with a foreign passport now.
Let me explain to you why Modi gets my support:
1. Action oriented – the man doesn’t sit still.
2. Focus on poor – JAM, health, cooking gas etc etc. The list is loong.
3. Setting right historical wrongs – triple talaq, Ayodhya, JandK and so forth.
4. Outwardly looking – went all over the world making a point about India’s positives
5. Being fair and common sensical
Who, amongst the opposition, can claim to ignite the common man – across the world?
Politics and elections are transactional with deep rooted emotions.
The man knows how to tap into those emotions all the time.
Who can claim to ignite the common man – across the world?
Answer : Hindus with an inferiority complex about being Hindu.
And kill some soldiers in Balakot right before election
Even if we assume that what the author says is factual, why social media has become so powerful? The author doesn’t even attempt to answer this question. Secondly does BJP has monopoly on the social media? Definitely not. What prevents other political parties to use this media? The author doesn’t attempt to answer this question too. Now why social media is so popular – the obvious answer to this vital question is that it passes the power to communicate to millions of common people in India. Previously, this privilege was held by a selected few but now this privilege has been democratized. Quite true, we must prevent the misuse of the media but any attempt to control or regulate the social media would be futile. The technology would frustrate such controls. I must add that the print and electronic media should learn from this phenomenon. Communication cannot be a one-way traffic. I must congratulate thePrint in this regard. ThePrint openly welcomes various view points without much restrictions. That is the reason thePrint has become the most popular web portal in a short span of time.
‘What prevents other political parties to use this media?’
Other parties are handicapped as they cannot send hate messages like the BJP has chosen to do. One side believes in democratic norms, the other does not believe in decent democratic norms.
‘Previously, this privilege was held by a selected few but now this privilege has been democratized. ‘
Lies can be propagated and it is true because majority believes in it. Everyone can live in delusions. That is especially dangerous in a society with low IQ majority.
Other parties do NOT have funding from top corporates. 95% election fund goes to BJP
Reason? Single party, dead democracy is safe atmosphere for corporates
Non sense article.
This is a height of being chronically obsessed with BJP.
There are anti-farmer bills messages on WhatsApp. Why not point out such messages? There is a big machinery of such messages too which may be Jihadi, radicals, naxals etc.
A great finding how things work under radar, all of these propaganda and tricks work at certain extended no doubt about that. But when at least the young people will get no jobs or quality jobs in no time things get back fire and the propaganda get exposed, and, ultimately people will realized the truth. Credibility is very important more than often people and state think it doesn’t matter but once credibility lost no matter what one will say it won’t work.
Why do you think only BJP has this privilege of under the radar messaging and no other party has? Also door to door “misinformation” campaign is not something BJP alone can do. So I think there must be more to it.
Money power ! Far more than anything any other party has amassed !
On Modi’s popularity :
We can say without doubt that Modi is disrespected and hated by Indian Muslims, Christians and Sikhs – with good reason, they are the victims of Hindu mob violence.
Modi is also hated by Hindu liberals and intellectuals – they are few, but they are fine thinkers. They understand fascism, they can see Modi is a small time Hindu Hitler.
For the urban, frustrated high caste Hindus, Modi has been a hero since 2002. His main appeal is that he is a ‘strong leader’ who beat up Muslims. Modi makes such Hindus feel they are someone in the world now. Even if they see the handlings of the economy, Covid and China were not brilliant successes, they think ‘who else is there ?’ Also, this kind of Hindu, having backed wickedness, hates anyone reminding him that he did something wrong. This kind of Hindu will say the state of the economy and Covid is the same everywhere. In short, his mind seeks excuses, and he is comfortable with delusions about Modi.
The majority of Hindus with foreign citizenship adulate Modi. These Hindus have low self esteem in their adopted countries, although they maybe earning money. To them, Modi has put Hindus on the world map. Issues such as the state of the Indian economy, failure against China, and Covid mishandling, do not affect them. They take advantage of democracy and rights in the US, but they support fascist brutality in India. They have the best of both worlds. The opinions of these reactionary and duplicitous Hindus resound in this forum.
The Hindu media have been bought and most of them have sold their souls (like Goswami) and many do not have the courage to call a spade a spade.
The Hindu super industrialists and oligarchs like Ambani and Adani have never had such a good time. The same with bank defaulters – all Hindus.
The Sanghis are also very happy and feel no one can roll them back – they have infiltrated media, universities and all institutions.
All the Hindu Babas and other fraudsters in saffron robes are happy as they have a prominent say.
For the bulk of the impoverished Hindu workers – the migrant workers – it is not clear yet what they think of Modi. They are the ones hit hardest by demonetisation and Covid. Whether they are still drugged by the appeal of Hindu communalism, and Whats App messages blaming Muslims, or whether they have started thinking they are being impoverished by Modi, is not clear. We have to see.
Economic adversity and incompetence sometimes go hand in hand with strongmen. The worse the economy, the more the support for the
strongman ! Modi, Modi, Modi they chant fervently ! We see that where the electorate is not politically mature and can be swayed by strong rhetoric. We saw that first with Hitler. And we see it with Trump, and other strongmen who tap into frustration and resentment in the majority.
I can understand your a** is on fire. Keep crying, people don’t care anymore about your types. And one more thing. Try not to see and judge everything from religious perspective. But again you don’t have anything to argue besides that.
” His main appeal is that he is a ‘strong leader’ who beat up Muslims. ” Modi and Hindus are not alone in such feeling. Many non-Muslims all over the world has such feeling.
Ha ha!! After two consecutive record breaking win if u r not able to understand Modiji whose fault is it and what it says about your calibre..ha ha!!
Anyways, let me tell you, Modiji message is very simple, he talks about “Bharat to Bhartiya”… So all patriotic and deshdrohi get it…Tumhari samaj me 2024 me bhi nahi aayega… Modiji will win 400 seats..
Modiji message is very simple, he talks about “Bharat to Bhartiya”…So all patriotic and deshdrohi get it…
Like Hitler said Germany for Aryan Germans and everyone got it. And how long did Hitler’s German nationalism last ? The Thousand Year Reich lasted just 12 years.
You did not talk about your jihadi comrades who are killing innocent people all over the world.
Most of what the author has written is correct.
One of the strongest leitmotifs of ‘below-the-radar messaging of the BJP’ is to pander to Hindu communalism, with stories of Muslims being appeased and how they are coming to get Hindus, and how only Modi can check the Muslims. Even Covid was turned into an existential crisis for Hindus in which jihadi Tablighis were out to get Hindus – after many months, it came out, it was largely fake news. But most Hindus believed the messaging, and cling on to it.
When the Nazi army started facing its first defeat in Stalingrad, their propaganda minister Goebbels started a campaign to tell only Hitler could save German dignity, and so it required Germans to make the utmost sacrifices for Hitler and the nation. He instilled fear that the alternative was the Soviets would get the Germans. And of course the Germans had gone so far with Hitler, they could not pull back, the war was lost, and the Soviets came at them and nailed them. Hitler ditched the German people and committed suicide, while the Germans continued making bloody sacrifices for a lost cause.
Here, there is no external enemy, even China is not going to invade India, to get at the Hindus. But nations can collapse in other ways also. The writing is on the wall for economic collapse, for which Modi, BJP and RSS have no solution. They can only play the fear about ‘everyone is out to get Hindus with different kinds of jihad’, and only Modi can save them. The hope of the BJP;s propagandists is that Hindus will continue to rally round Modi, and make sacrifices.
Till the last days of the Third Reich, Nazi propagandists drummed into Germans that Hitler was the only choice. Even after Hitler committed suicide when the Red Army was a few kms. away from his bunker, his supporters sent out on radio the message that Hitler had fallen fighting the Soviets bravely till the last -whereas he had committed suicide like a coward. Hitler’s bhakths continued fighting for one more week and got killed. They lived in an alternative reality.
Modi has brought India to the brink of economic collapse, yet for Hindus like you, Modi is the only choice because you think 1 billion Hindus cannot find a better Hindu than a chai wallah with a forged degree.
India has seen people with degrees from Harvard and Cambridge. In any western country, such people would have committed suicide, but not in India. And we understand your problems. Modi has united the Hindus and he does not need your votes. Simple. If all Muslim countries can be Islamic, why India cannot be Hindu country?
Finally Shivam has found the secret of BJP’s success! Cheers to you Mr Armchair journalist. As always way too much over simplification of the matter and lack of in depth analysis.
‘The way they are playing with human psychology is simply amazing. This machinery is simply unbeatable. ‘
There is nothing new. Watch the videos of Hitler and Goebbels, and the Germans at Nuremberg rallies giving their Hitler salutes You will think of Modi and Shah, and the dumb bhakts chanting Modi, Modi, Modi…
I was wondering about the way they are combating the fall out of economic and social distress with the distraction of Bollywood mafia. Middle class is so happy getting bollywood stars for lynching.
The middle class does not want to be told that they made a mistake backing some one with a criminal record. They get angry. They will argue demonetisation was a success, Covid is the same everywhere, who else is there etc. Earlier, Modi told them that he is cleaning up the the elite and corrupt class, and they believed that he is a tough man taking tough decisions. Now, he is telling them, Bollywood is a corrupt place, and he is going to clean it. He will not clean Ambani and Adani, as they pay all their dues to the RSS-BJP in time.
This generation’s middle class who are aged 25-55 were ironically made rich by MMS’s growth era. They have property, land, gated community, shares etc. So they do not feel the pinch unlike the migrants. They hate Congress. Today’s sub middle class (and the children of today’s middle class) will feel the pinch of the shrinking economy. It remains to be seen whether they will be content with lynching minorities, showing off Hindutva pride, communalism etc.
I don’t live in India. I don’t have an Aadhar card. I am not an Indian voter.
I am an NRI. Yet, for me, Modi is the one who is attempting to put the right the wrongs of the last 70 years.
Agree, not everything is going well, but then it is not going well for everyone around the world.
I thank the stars that India has Modi as PM. Imagine a Pappu with a fractured mandate!!
‘Modi is the one who is attempting to put the right the wrongs of the last 70 years.’
Can you tell one of the things he has set right ?
Demonetisation to end corruption ?
Handling of Covid ?
China kills 20 Indian soldiers taking land and Modi keeps quiet ?
Pakistan kills 49 Indian soldiers in Pulwama, and Modi orders air strike, international media says some trees were struck in Balakot, and a pilot was captured.
All our neighbours including Hindu Nepal are enemies.
The question I ask is ‘Why do Hindus imagine a chai wallah with a forged degree and a pogrom can transform India ?’
Rasgolla – you are typical of the calibre of people who look at Modi from a Hindu – non Hindu prism.
Yet, Modi gets the highest civilian awards of muslim countries.
Enjoy your stay in La La Land.
‘Rasgolla – you are typical of the calibre of people who look at Modi from a Hindu – non Hindu prism.’
Modi is that calibre of person only. He sees himself as Hindu versus non-Hindu.
‘Yet, Modi gets the highest civilian awards of muslim countries.’
I do not go by what Muslim countries think, I go by what I think.
As for the countries that you refer to which gave him awards, after the circulation of hate tweets in the Gulf by Hindus after Covid, those states have become aware that Hindus are a threat to them, and they are becoming aware of RSS and its fund raising activities. Some of those Hindus were living in la-la land, as they got deported.
The author very conveniently ignored the fact that the Indian voter does not have any meritorious alternative . Even if BJP doesnot resort to whatsapp propaganda etc, , the Indian Voter will still opt for BJP except in regional party cases , as he/she is is seeing some small change in the living conditions of him/her. All those articulating the negatives of the government know fully well that reforms do not yield the results immediately. Still they try to fool the readers/viewers with such negative views only because they are fed by the opponents. (It is the same media which made a hue and cry when liberlisation guidelines were issued by the PVN Rao government. But now they are praising the same people. All that the media wants is to make money . They can change their stance as per the wind.
‘The author very conveniently ignored the fact that the Indian voter does not have any meritorious alternative .
Why do you think 1 billion Hindus can only find a chaiwallah with forged degree and a pogrom ?
“Why do people have unshakeable faith in Modi? Part of the answer lies in the conversations the BJP’s field army is having with voters on a regular basis.”
What is stopping Congress or so called secularist party’s field army from doing them same? The reason is simple. The leadership only care for themselves , their family and their social circles. So their field armies are not motivated. Omar Abdullah is one of the smartest politicians in opposition. He made this observation back in 2013 and predicted possible BJP victory under Modi in 2014.
Indeed a brilliant expose by Shivam and such a sad story for the anti BJP lobby!! Why cannot Shivam advise Congress and AAP to start similar groups and connect with the crores of people all over India? But be careful too-You are giving free ideas to Prashant Kishore by writing such articles in The Print.
Anyway, it would be interesting to read another story from Shivam’s hat next week.
‘Why cannot Shivam advise Congress and AAP to start similar groups and connect with the crores of people all over India?’
The reason is fascists use hate messaging and can gather a crowd round them. The Nazis did that, and the BJP has done that – very successfully for themselves, but not for the country.
The liberal opposition cannot indulge in hate messaging, they have no storm troopers to go out on the streets to beat up the BJP. It is an asymmetric battle where one side observes the rules of civilised democracy, and the other side is willing to use hate messages, riots, pogroms, fake messages.
But it will work for sometime, but it is not sustainable. Fascism needs continuous hate to continue. It has failed everywhere…Germans reached dizzying heights in the first few years of Hitler, but eventually they got carried away and the Third Reich crumbled. Hindu fascism and India are crumbling due to the economy. When creating nafrath has priority over creative production, then it will crumble.
Then are by implication saying that ‘people’ gather around hate? My firnd i am sorry you have a very low opinion of people. This is typical of socialists. This has been a trope of socialists for ages to take away democratic rights based on free will.
Then are you by implication saying that ‘people’ gather around hate? My friend i am sorry you have a very low opinion of people. This is typical of socialists. This has been a trope of socialists for ages to take away democratic rights based on free will.
Yup, keep blaming everyone except Congress and then get surprised when they are washed out during the D-Day. In fact, I encourage you to keep doing this shit so the congress doesn’t realise the real reason behind their defeat.
It’s not a closed door that others cannot do the same. Why does not other political parties even try to venture out and meet public and inform them. As each day passes the wind is getting stronger in favour of BJP. I wonder if 2024 will need vote counting in majority constituencies.
‘It’s not a closed door that others cannot do the same. ‘
It is difficult to compete on a hate mongering agenda. With a hate agenda, there are many Hindu takers. With a development agenda, there are no takers. The BJP is wired to the Hindu psyche, and they understand the Hindu intellect.
“Shoe I am “you STUPIDO.
You are not supposed to say formal media has little relevance. Everyone knows that.
HINDUS believe in education and science and prosperity
HINDUS coming together and voting against CORRUPTION and proselytizers will finish us.
We need ideas to divide Hindus. Remember rent a journalist like you were of great importance during our regime.
Meanwhile let’s eat PASTA and pizza with mozzarella cheese till we are able to get some good ideas of dividing HINDUS….MAMAMIA!!!!
Could it also be possible that “below the radar”, the people are actually getting the BEST under the circumstances. India’s handling of COVID and related economic issues have not been a pathetic act — at least that is what is felt by a lot of people and many commentators around the country and the world.
Of course, the problem with experts and columnists is that they see only what they know or what thy want to see, even if reality be different. It works either way.
Tail piece: It may not be correct to assume that we (including experts and media) know everything and the people out there are all wrong.
You are pulling a fast one. Can you cite some of the many commentators around the the world who think the people are actually getting the BEST under the circumstances and India’s handling of COVID and related economic issues have not been a pathetic act ?
Also, does the world think India’s handling of Pulwama and Galwan were anything other than pathetic acts ? I say it was downright Hindu cowardice. Please cite any commentators other than Bakshi and yourself who think otherwise !
Since you are such a vain Hindu to think Indians are getting the BEST, cite us the evidence from outside India.
You Lyutens morons are brain dead and deaf – that’s why you make idiotic statements like “We don’t know what exactly the BJP says to the voter through multiple channels of below-the-radar messaging.”
You call yourself a journalist? You guys are not fit to even clean toilets.
The article can be aptly named “How WhatsApp ended the largest democracy in the world”
it can also be aptly named ” How Whatsapp stopped jihad by by secularists on it’s track in it’s chosen place: the Election”
Nothing can stop the jihad in the Hindu mind. In fact, it is always on the Hindu mind ! Even if the BJP fielded a monkey which told you it is fighting against Muslims, you will vote for him.
The article can be aptly named “How WhatsApp ended the largest minority dominated democracy in the world”
This Vij is finally gone off the map. Next he will say the reason for Modi popularity is that they have convinced Gods
Certainly for your your gods, ‘anything goes’, they do not need convincing on Modi. Forged degree and also pogroms are signs of excellence. Hence, the unshakable popularity.
Haa, I just went through all the comments by you, and I was amazed by your obsession with Modi and Hindus. I just don’t get why people connect BJP with Hindus? just because they don’t believe in fake secularism.
What congress did for years was minority appeasement, that’s why you don’t see people from media not portraying them as fascist, because when you go with the majority, it will hurt some opportunists people, who enjoyed privileges for years.
Seeing all your comments, I just get why people hate certain party over others, it’s just because they can’t give up thinking above religion and casts.
The reason is Journalists who were fed by 60 years misrule and crushing Hinduism feel discomfort. There is hardly any political leader in the opposition who is making sensible speech to make voters understand why they should vote out. They themselves are telling NAMO is encouraging Hindutva. But in reality it is not so. He is taking help of every one due to their weakness. This the opposition leaders are not exposing. The very fact that senior leaders in INC are not dare enough to take over INC mantle and take it forward to rule the country. Farooq Abdulla proves through is statements that what NAMO did in scrapping 370 is good.
This is news creating not reporting. For these kind of stupid articles are you guys are asking for Money ? The quote is Quality Journalism doesn’t come cheap. But to be a subscriber, I don’t want to read these kind of cheap articles.
In short Author is saying the people them self campaigning for Modi.
Rasgolla rocks!!!
This was true last year. But now people realise on the ground what is the truth. Any person may write and forward anything. They understand and ignore. They are looking what is coming into their plate and account and not what is coming on screen. They are also not giving opinion openly as they don’t want abusive trolls coming their way. So silent revolution happening
Really ? But there is little sign of that happening.
I have read many articles regarding lockdown failure but none of the articles have suggested any other way to control covid and if this was such a bad idea why did the most efficient chief minister according to ENGLISH press like kejriwal Amarainder singh enforced it on the very onset even before modi announced it
‘I have read many articles regarding lockdown failure but none of the articles have suggested any other way to control covid’
You have not read enough my boy. Clapping hands, taking out processions, and lighting lamps, and advising Covid papad, and running PM Cares Fund without accountability is not the way of the world. Announcing lockdown in 4h without arrangements for migrant workers showed the same cynicism as demonetisation. The Indian curve has not reached a peak – whereas most countries have. India is on target to become the largest carrier of Covid. When that becomes widely known, it affects business as people will be afraid to come India – including all the BJP Hindus sitting abroad.
The only place in India that did a good job on planning for Covid is Kerala. Not only they planned for its control early, they even planned and housed the migrants and did not turn them out to walk 2500 km to the north. Read about them – in the international press. The BBC asked the Kerala Health Minister Shailaja what she could teach Britain. The World Bank held meetings with the Kerala govt. to understand and learn.
In contrast, Modi and his govt. showed incompetence. It has gone out of their control, they have given up. Amit Shah might be a victim.
I agree with you.
I didn’t know anything about Modi before 2014 apart from the 2002 episode. I can’t vote being an NRI with a foreign passport now.
Let me explain to you why Modi gets my support:
1. Action oriented – the man doesn’t sit still.
2. Focus on poor – JAM, health, cooking gas etc etc. The list is loong.
3. Setting right historical wrongs – triple talaq, Ayodhya, JandK and so forth.
4. Outwardly looking – went all over the world making a point about India’s positives
5. Being fair and common sensical
Who, amongst the opposition, can claim to ignite the common man – across the world?
Politics and elections are transactional with deep rooted emotions.
The man knows how to tap into those emotions all the time.
You are a delusional Hindu settled abroad.
Who can claim to ignite the common man – across the world?
Answer : Hindus with an inferiority complex about being Hindu.
And kill some soldiers in Balakot right before election
Even if we assume that what the author says is factual, why social media has become so powerful? The author doesn’t even attempt to answer this question. Secondly does BJP has monopoly on the social media? Definitely not. What prevents other political parties to use this media? The author doesn’t attempt to answer this question too. Now why social media is so popular – the obvious answer to this vital question is that it passes the power to communicate to millions of common people in India. Previously, this privilege was held by a selected few but now this privilege has been democratized. Quite true, we must prevent the misuse of the media but any attempt to control or regulate the social media would be futile. The technology would frustrate such controls. I must add that the print and electronic media should learn from this phenomenon. Communication cannot be a one-way traffic. I must congratulate thePrint in this regard. ThePrint openly welcomes various view points without much restrictions. That is the reason thePrint has become the most popular web portal in a short span of time.
‘What prevents other political parties to use this media?’
Other parties are handicapped as they cannot send hate messages like the BJP has chosen to do. One side believes in democratic norms, the other does not believe in decent democratic norms.
‘Previously, this privilege was held by a selected few but now this privilege has been democratized. ‘
Lies can be propagated and it is true because majority believes in it. Everyone can live in delusions. That is especially dangerous in a society with low IQ majority.
Other parties do NOT have funding from top corporates. 95% election fund goes to BJP
Reason? Single party, dead democracy is safe atmosphere for corporates
Non sense article.
This is a height of being chronically obsessed with BJP.
There are anti-farmer bills messages on WhatsApp. Why not point out such messages? There is a big machinery of such messages too which may be Jihadi, radicals, naxals etc.
?7
?
A great finding how things work under radar, all of these propaganda and tricks work at certain extended no doubt about that. But when at least the young people will get no jobs or quality jobs in no time things get back fire and the propaganda get exposed, and, ultimately people will realized the truth. Credibility is very important more than often people and state think it doesn’t matter but once credibility lost no matter what one will say it won’t work.
Sometimes hate can let people believe in incredible things. The BJP has relied on that, and it has worked.
Please write an article on the Congress election machinery and compare it to the other parties.
Why do you think only BJP has this privilege of under the radar messaging and no other party has? Also door to door “misinformation” campaign is not something BJP alone can do. So I think there must be more to it.
Money power ! Far more than anything any other party has amassed !
On Modi’s popularity :
We can say without doubt that Modi is disrespected and hated by Indian Muslims, Christians and Sikhs – with good reason, they are the victims of Hindu mob violence.
Modi is also hated by Hindu liberals and intellectuals – they are few, but they are fine thinkers. They understand fascism, they can see Modi is a small time Hindu Hitler.
For the urban, frustrated high caste Hindus, Modi has been a hero since 2002. His main appeal is that he is a ‘strong leader’ who beat up Muslims. Modi makes such Hindus feel they are someone in the world now. Even if they see the handlings of the economy, Covid and China were not brilliant successes, they think ‘who else is there ?’ Also, this kind of Hindu, having backed wickedness, hates anyone reminding him that he did something wrong. This kind of Hindu will say the state of the economy and Covid is the same everywhere. In short, his mind seeks excuses, and he is comfortable with delusions about Modi.
The majority of Hindus with foreign citizenship adulate Modi. These Hindus have low self esteem in their adopted countries, although they maybe earning money. To them, Modi has put Hindus on the world map. Issues such as the state of the Indian economy, failure against China, and Covid mishandling, do not affect them. They take advantage of democracy and rights in the US, but they support fascist brutality in India. They have the best of both worlds. The opinions of these reactionary and duplicitous Hindus resound in this forum.
The Hindu media have been bought and most of them have sold their souls (like Goswami) and many do not have the courage to call a spade a spade.
The Hindu super industrialists and oligarchs like Ambani and Adani have never had such a good time. The same with bank defaulters – all Hindus.
The Sanghis are also very happy and feel no one can roll them back – they have infiltrated media, universities and all institutions.
All the Hindu Babas and other fraudsters in saffron robes are happy as they have a prominent say.
For the bulk of the impoverished Hindu workers – the migrant workers – it is not clear yet what they think of Modi. They are the ones hit hardest by demonetisation and Covid. Whether they are still drugged by the appeal of Hindu communalism, and Whats App messages blaming Muslims, or whether they have started thinking they are being impoverished by Modi, is not clear. We have to see.
Economic adversity and incompetence sometimes go hand in hand with strongmen. The worse the economy, the more the support for the
strongman ! Modi, Modi, Modi they chant fervently ! We see that where the electorate is not politically mature and can be swayed by strong rhetoric. We saw that first with Hitler. And we see it with Trump, and other strongmen who tap into frustration and resentment in the majority.
I can understand your a** is on fire. Keep crying, people don’t care anymore about your types. And one more thing. Try not to see and judge everything from religious perspective. But again you don’t have anything to argue besides that.
” His main appeal is that he is a ‘strong leader’ who beat up Muslims. ” Modi and Hindus are not alone in such feeling. Many non-Muslims all over the world has such feeling.
Ha ha!! After two consecutive record breaking win if u r not able to understand Modiji whose fault is it and what it says about your calibre..ha ha!!
Anyways, let me tell you, Modiji message is very simple, he talks about “Bharat to Bhartiya”… So all patriotic and deshdrohi get it…Tumhari samaj me 2024 me bhi nahi aayega… Modiji will win 400 seats..
Modiji message is very simple, he talks about “Bharat to Bhartiya”…So all patriotic and deshdrohi get it…
Like Hitler said Germany for Aryan Germans and everyone got it. And how long did Hitler’s German nationalism last ? The Thousand Year Reich lasted just 12 years.
You did not talk about your jihadi comrades who are killing innocent people all over the world.
Most of what the author has written is correct.
One of the strongest leitmotifs of ‘below-the-radar messaging of the BJP’ is to pander to Hindu communalism, with stories of Muslims being appeased and how they are coming to get Hindus, and how only Modi can check the Muslims. Even Covid was turned into an existential crisis for Hindus in which jihadi Tablighis were out to get Hindus – after many months, it came out, it was largely fake news. But most Hindus believed the messaging, and cling on to it.
When the Nazi army started facing its first defeat in Stalingrad, their propaganda minister Goebbels started a campaign to tell only Hitler could save German dignity, and so it required Germans to make the utmost sacrifices for Hitler and the nation. He instilled fear that the alternative was the Soviets would get the Germans. And of course the Germans had gone so far with Hitler, they could not pull back, the war was lost, and the Soviets came at them and nailed them. Hitler ditched the German people and committed suicide, while the Germans continued making bloody sacrifices for a lost cause.
Here, there is no external enemy, even China is not going to invade India, to get at the Hindus. But nations can collapse in other ways also. The writing is on the wall for economic collapse, for which Modi, BJP and RSS have no solution. They can only play the fear about ‘everyone is out to get Hindus with different kinds of jihad’, and only Modi can save them. The hope of the BJP;s propagandists is that Hindus will continue to rally round Modi, and make sacrifices.
Modi is the only choice because the rest are all ‘chor’. From Sharad Pawar to Sonia, Mayawati to Mamata, all are crooks.
Till the last days of the Third Reich, Nazi propagandists drummed into Germans that Hitler was the only choice. Even after Hitler committed suicide when the Red Army was a few kms. away from his bunker, his supporters sent out on radio the message that Hitler had fallen fighting the Soviets bravely till the last -whereas he had committed suicide like a coward. Hitler’s bhakths continued fighting for one more week and got killed. They lived in an alternative reality.
Modi has brought India to the brink of economic collapse, yet for Hindus like you, Modi is the only choice because you think 1 billion Hindus cannot find a better Hindu than a chai wallah with a forged degree.
India has seen people with degrees from Harvard and Cambridge. In any western country, such people would have committed suicide, but not in India. And we understand your problems. Modi has united the Hindus and he does not need your votes. Simple. If all Muslim countries can be Islamic, why India cannot be Hindu country?
Finally Shivam has found the secret of BJP’s success! Cheers to you Mr Armchair journalist. As always way too much over simplification of the matter and lack of in depth analysis.
The way they are playing with human psychology is simply amazing. This machinery is simply unbeatable. Probably we deserve this.
‘The way they are playing with human psychology is simply amazing. This machinery is simply unbeatable. ‘
There is nothing new. Watch the videos of Hitler and Goebbels, and the Germans at Nuremberg rallies giving their Hitler salutes You will think of Modi and Shah, and the dumb bhakts chanting Modi, Modi, Modi…
I was wondering about the way they are combating the fall out of economic and social distress with the distraction of Bollywood mafia. Middle class is so happy getting bollywood stars for lynching.
The middle class does not want to be told that they made a mistake backing some one with a criminal record. They get angry. They will argue demonetisation was a success, Covid is the same everywhere, who else is there etc. Earlier, Modi told them that he is cleaning up the the elite and corrupt class, and they believed that he is a tough man taking tough decisions. Now, he is telling them, Bollywood is a corrupt place, and he is going to clean it. He will not clean Ambani and Adani, as they pay all their dues to the RSS-BJP in time.
This generation’s middle class who are aged 25-55 were ironically made rich by MMS’s growth era. They have property, land, gated community, shares etc. So they do not feel the pinch unlike the migrants. They hate Congress. Today’s sub middle class (and the children of today’s middle class) will feel the pinch of the shrinking economy. It remains to be seen whether they will be content with lynching minorities, showing off Hindutva pride, communalism etc.
I don’t live in India. I don’t have an Aadhar card. I am not an Indian voter.
I am an NRI. Yet, for me, Modi is the one who is attempting to put the right the wrongs of the last 70 years.
Agree, not everything is going well, but then it is not going well for everyone around the world.
I thank the stars that India has Modi as PM. Imagine a Pappu with a fractured mandate!!
‘Modi is the one who is attempting to put the right the wrongs of the last 70 years.’
Can you tell one of the things he has set right ?
Demonetisation to end corruption ?
Handling of Covid ?
China kills 20 Indian soldiers taking land and Modi keeps quiet ?
Pakistan kills 49 Indian soldiers in Pulwama, and Modi orders air strike, international media says some trees were struck in Balakot, and a pilot was captured.
All our neighbours including Hindu Nepal are enemies.
The question I ask is ‘Why do Hindus imagine a chai wallah with a forged degree and a pogrom can transform India ?’
Rasgolla – you are typical of the calibre of people who look at Modi from a Hindu – non Hindu prism.
Yet, Modi gets the highest civilian awards of muslim countries.
Enjoy your stay in La La Land.
‘Rasgolla – you are typical of the calibre of people who look at Modi from a Hindu – non Hindu prism.’
Modi is that calibre of person only. He sees himself as Hindu versus non-Hindu.
‘Yet, Modi gets the highest civilian awards of muslim countries.’
I do not go by what Muslim countries think, I go by what I think.
As for the countries that you refer to which gave him awards, after the circulation of hate tweets in the Gulf by Hindus after Covid, those states have become aware that Hindus are a threat to them, and they are becoming aware of RSS and its fund raising activities. Some of those Hindus were living in la-la land, as they got deported.
The author very conveniently ignored the fact that the Indian voter does not have any meritorious alternative . Even if BJP doesnot resort to whatsapp propaganda etc, , the Indian Voter will still opt for BJP except in regional party cases , as he/she is is seeing some small change in the living conditions of him/her. All those articulating the negatives of the government know fully well that reforms do not yield the results immediately. Still they try to fool the readers/viewers with such negative views only because they are fed by the opponents. (It is the same media which made a hue and cry when liberlisation guidelines were issued by the PVN Rao government. But now they are praising the same people. All that the media wants is to make money . They can change their stance as per the wind.
‘The author very conveniently ignored the fact that the Indian voter does not have any meritorious alternative .
Why do you think 1 billion Hindus can only find a chaiwallah with forged degree and a pogrom ?
“Why do people have unshakeable faith in Modi? Part of the answer lies in the conversations the BJP’s field army is having with voters on a regular basis.”
What is stopping Congress or so called secularist party’s field army from doing them same? The reason is simple. The leadership only care for themselves , their family and their social circles. So their field armies are not motivated. Omar Abdullah is one of the smartest politicians in opposition. He made this observation back in 2013 and predicted possible BJP victory under Modi in 2014.
Indeed a brilliant expose by Shivam and such a sad story for the anti BJP lobby!! Why cannot Shivam advise Congress and AAP to start similar groups and connect with the crores of people all over India? But be careful too-You are giving free ideas to Prashant Kishore by writing such articles in The Print.
Anyway, it would be interesting to read another story from Shivam’s hat next week.
‘Why cannot Shivam advise Congress and AAP to start similar groups and connect with the crores of people all over India?’
The reason is fascists use hate messaging and can gather a crowd round them. The Nazis did that, and the BJP has done that – very successfully for themselves, but not for the country.
The liberal opposition cannot indulge in hate messaging, they have no storm troopers to go out on the streets to beat up the BJP. It is an asymmetric battle where one side observes the rules of civilised democracy, and the other side is willing to use hate messages, riots, pogroms, fake messages.
But it will work for sometime, but it is not sustainable. Fascism needs continuous hate to continue. It has failed everywhere…Germans reached dizzying heights in the first few years of Hitler, but eventually they got carried away and the Third Reich crumbled. Hindu fascism and India are crumbling due to the economy. When creating nafrath has priority over creative production, then it will crumble.
Then are by implication saying that ‘people’ gather around hate? My firnd i am sorry you have a very low opinion of people. This is typical of socialists. This has been a trope of socialists for ages to take away democratic rights based on free will.
Then are you by implication saying that ‘people’ gather around hate? My friend i am sorry you have a very low opinion of people. This is typical of socialists. This has been a trope of socialists for ages to take away democratic rights based on free will.
Yup, keep blaming everyone except Congress and then get surprised when they are washed out during the D-Day. In fact, I encourage you to keep doing this shit so the congress doesn’t realise the real reason behind their defeat.
The best political journalist I have read so far except D.k Singh .
Hat’s off to you connect to the political ground instead of telling what the formal channel tells.
Have been following you for more then a year and every time you catch the right nerve.
Look forward to reading your articles.
It’s not a closed door that others cannot do the same. Why does not other political parties even try to venture out and meet public and inform them. As each day passes the wind is getting stronger in favour of BJP. I wonder if 2024 will need vote counting in majority constituencies.
‘It’s not a closed door that others cannot do the same. ‘
It is difficult to compete on a hate mongering agenda. With a hate agenda, there are many Hindu takers. With a development agenda, there are no takers. The BJP is wired to the Hindu psyche, and they understand the Hindu intellect.
“Shoe I am “you STUPIDO.
You are not supposed to say formal media has little relevance. Everyone knows that.
HINDUS believe in education and science and prosperity
HINDUS coming together and voting against CORRUPTION and proselytizers will finish us.
We need ideas to divide Hindus. Remember rent a journalist like you were of great importance during our regime.
Meanwhile let’s eat PASTA and pizza with mozzarella cheese till we are able to get some good ideas of dividing HINDUS….MAMAMIA!!!!
Could it also be possible that “below the radar”, the people are actually getting the BEST under the circumstances. India’s handling of COVID and related economic issues have not been a pathetic act — at least that is what is felt by a lot of people and many commentators around the country and the world.
Of course, the problem with experts and columnists is that they see only what they know or what thy want to see, even if reality be different. It works either way.
Tail piece: It may not be correct to assume that we (including experts and media) know everything and the people out there are all wrong.
You are pulling a fast one. Can you cite some of the many commentators around the the world who think the people are actually getting the BEST under the circumstances and India’s handling of COVID and related economic issues have not been a pathetic act ?
Also, does the world think India’s handling of Pulwama and Galwan were anything other than pathetic acts ? I say it was downright Hindu cowardice. Please cite any commentators other than Bakshi and yourself who think otherwise !
Since you are such a vain Hindu to think Indians are getting the BEST, cite us the evidence from outside India.
You Lyutens morons are brain dead and deaf – that’s why you make idiotic statements like “We don’t know what exactly the BJP says to the voter through multiple channels of below-the-radar messaging.”
You call yourself a journalist? You guys are not fit to even clean toilets.
The article can be aptly named “How WhatsApp ended the largest democracy in the world” ?
The article can be aptly named “How WhatsApp ended the largest democracy in the world”
it can also be aptly named ” How Whatsapp stopped jihad by by secularists on it’s track in it’s chosen place: the Election”
Nothing can stop the jihad in the Hindu mind. In fact, it is always on the Hindu mind ! Even if the BJP fielded a monkey which told you it is fighting against Muslims, you will vote for him.
The article can be aptly named “How WhatsApp ended the largest minority dominated democracy in the world”
This Vij is finally gone off the map. Next he will say the reason for Modi popularity is that they have convinced Gods
Certainly for your your gods, ‘anything goes’, they do not need convincing on Modi. Forged degree and also pogroms are signs of excellence. Hence, the unshakable popularity.
Haa, I just went through all the comments by you, and I was amazed by your obsession with Modi and Hindus. I just don’t get why people connect BJP with Hindus? just because they don’t believe in fake secularism.
What congress did for years was minority appeasement, that’s why you don’t see people from media not portraying them as fascist, because when you go with the majority, it will hurt some opportunists people, who enjoyed privileges for years.
Seeing all your comments, I just get why people hate certain party over others, it’s just because they can’t give up thinking above religion and casts.
good luck with your obsession.