What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
While the BJP-RSS cadre works tirelessly on consolidating the Hindu vote, these online players, with limited expertise in the areas they discuss, continuously target OBC and Dalit icons, alienating them.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis finds himself in a catch 22 situation as he navigates the fallout from calling for action against casteist remarks made by an anonymous right-wing handle targeting social reformer and Bahujan icon Savitribai Phule.
While its ally NCP demands strong measures against the offenders, Fadnavis, as a Brahmin, is compelled to denounce the hateful elements keeping in mind the larger goal of BJP i.e consolidation of the Hindu vote-bank. Being a Brahmin, he had to send out a strong message to reiterate that the BJP does not stand for casteism in Hinduism. However, his strong stance has stirred controversy within the right-wing ecosystem, exposing BJP’s strategy of empowering questionable online entities that now pose a threat to the party’s political goals.
Prominent right-wing figures rallied behind the anonymous handle, known for spreading new historical narratives, sometimes unverified. They condemned Fadnavis for his strong stance against “their own friends.” This disproportionate support from the right-wing ecosystem has put the BJP on the defensive. It has exposed the flaw in the party’s strategy of empowering questionable online entities, granting them the freedom to polarise the audience, and now facing the repercussions as these stakeholders turn against the party’s agenda.
While the BJP-RSS cadre works tirelessly on consolidating the Hindu vote, these online players, with limited expertise in the areas they discuss, continuously target OBC and Dalit icons, alienating them.
This situation provides a counter to BJP’s otherwise successful blend of nationalism and Hindutva. Caste divisions remain undeniable in our country, and the BJP-RSS’ attempt to politically consolidate may be thwarted by these casteist handles claiming to be friends of the party. The opposition can exploit this discrepancy, deliberately broaching topics that antagonize OBC and Dalit communities, knowing that certain elements in the right-wing ecosystem will not only engage in Muslim-bashing but also reveal their casteist tendencies with little provocation.
Critics argue that BJP’s practice of using provocative spokespersons, regardless of their credibility, to shape narratives while disavowing them when they err is flawed. The party cannot be held responsible for the actions of politically and religiously charged anonymous online entities that jeopardize its political goals. Each spokesperson – official or unofficial – must be aware of where the line lies and take personal responsibility for not sticking to the brief.
