How media and social platforms fanned hate, silenced peace, and fueled a national crisis.
FROM THE BRUTAL attack on tourists that led to the killing of 26 people in Pahalgam, to the announcement of a ceasefire following Operation Sindoor launched by India, social media platforms have witnessed a sharp rise in two distressing trends. One is the blatant spread of fake news; the other is the vicious trolling of anyone who disagrees with dominant narratives or even advocates for peace.
During Operation Sindoor, fake videos were widely circulated on social media. These included footage of Israeli airstrikes on Palestinians, firecracker explosions, and video game graphics—misrepresented as Indian airstrikes on Pakistan or vice versa. Such misleading content was extensively reposted, reaching vast audiences.
Courtesy: South First
Shockingly, even some Indian TV news anchors contributed to this disinformation by sharing fake videos depicting violence during the India-Pakistan conflict. This underscores the dangers of misinformation during times of heightened tension, where false narratives can spread rapidly and shape public opinion.
While promoters of fake news were active on both sides of the border, the troll army on this side proved particularly aggressive.
Television studios in India, in particular, plumbed new depths, with shouting and screaming anchors baying for blood. The graphics and animations used on-screen were laughable, to say the least—some even showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi wielding a machine gun.
While their TRPs rose, these television channels clearly influenced a section of viewers, who became more shrill and abusive on social media as the two countries edged toward conflict.
When truth took a backseat, Godi Media grabbed the wheel — steering public rage for prime-time profits.
Himanshi Narwal, whose newlywed husband was killed in Pahalgam, came under heavy attack after she stated that she did not want people to “go against” Muslims and Kashmiris.
Her loyalty to her deceased husband was questioned, calls were made to cancel her pension, and she was even linked to anti-national groups.
She was not the only one targeted by self-proclaimed nationalists or “patriotic” social media users, who lashed out at anyone advocating restraint or peace.
Even the country’s Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri—who conducted India’s official briefings with poise—was not spared. His so-called fault? He was the one who announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to a ceasefire.
Despite speaking on behalf of the Government of India, he was trolled savagely. Worse still, his family members were attacked online, and his daughter was threatened with physical harm.
Journalist and fact-checker Mohammed Zubair of Alt News also reported that his address and mobile number had been leaked on social media, exposing him and his family to potential physical harm from right-wing extremists.
“People have leaked my home address and mobile number and have threatened to send pork to my address. There are already life threats against me. This isn’t the first time. The same person in 2023 had sent pork to my address and shared the shipping details on Twitter,” Zubair wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Several other users advocating for peace, mourning war casualties, lamenting the strained India-Pakistan relationship, expressing concern for Kashmiri civilians, or criticizing the name ‘Operation Sindoor’ for its perceived patriarchal and gendered connotations also faced intense backlash.
Journalists, activists, artists, and students were subjected to severe cyber abuse simply for expressing their views or asking questions. One account even exposed the personal details of peace advocates—Instagram handles, LinkedIn profiles, and other social media accounts—urging followers to harass them.
These incidents highlight the darker side of social media. Clearly, these platforms can be manipulated to spread hate, incite violence, or facilitate harassment. Algorithms often create virtual echo chambers that radicalize users and limit exposure to diverse perspectives.
In a democratic society, it is crucial to balance the right to free expression with the need to curb disinformation. Guidelines and laws must play a key role. Given the increasing importance of digital surveillance, swift action against online trolls is both necessary and urgent. A robust anti-troll law could help mitigate the severe mental and physical harm caused by such harassment.
To stop the next crisis from becoming a media circus, we need truth, accountability, and zero tolerance for manufactured outrage.
The upcoming Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Rules—which aim to impose penalties for the misuse of personal data—could be a step in the right direction. Effective regulation can foster a safer online environment.
In today’s digital age, social media can be a powerful tool for peacebuilding—or a driver of conflict. Its impact ultimately depends on how these platforms are used and how effectively they are regulated. 
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Vipin Pubby
The author, a freelance journalist, is a former Resident Editor of Indian Express, Chandigarh, and reported on the political developments in Jammu and Kashmir, North-Eastern India, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab in his long, illustrious career.
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