Social Media, Government, and Civil Unrest in India

  A BLOG BY GAURAV RAJ BHAGAT ADVOCATE HIGH COURT 1. Current Affairs & Unrest India has witnessed multiple instances of unrest where social media played a central role—ranging from farmers’ protests to student movements and political demonstrations. Platforms like Twitter (X) and Facebook have become hubs for mobilization and amplifying voices. At the same time, misinformation has escalated tensions, compelling authorities to intervene. Recent events highlight how quickly online narratives can influence physical movements. 2. Social Media & Society In India, social media has redefined public discourse. Youth movements, women’s rights campaigns, and environmental activism are increasingly led by digital mobilization. Viral hashtags such as #FarmersProtest or #CAAProtests show the power of collective digital action. However, this also raises the challenge of combating fake news, deepfakes, and propaganda. Society finds itself at the crossroads of empowerment and vulnerabili...