India’s Modi once relied on Facebook and Twitter. Now, is he ‘going the China way’?

The government is seeking tighter control of digital media amid a wave of discontent over India’s Covid-19 pandemic response and other policies

As tech firms like Google and WhatsApp prepare to challenge the state’s ‘chilling’ new rules, an observer says India could be leaning towards China’s rulebook

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BJP supporters wear a mask of PM Narendra Modi at a rally in Hyderabad. File photo: AFP

Published: 9:30pm, 3 Jun 2021Updated: 4:33pm, 4 Jun 2021

With a total of 114 million fans on Twitter and Facebook, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the world’s most followed politicians, using these platforms to share everything from policy updates to selfies with foreign leaders.

As his fan base grew, so did a flood of disinformation and abuse on social media, often perpetuated by supporters and members of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) against their detractors.

The torrent of hate, especially towards minorities and women, often led critics to accuse Twitter and Facebook of being too closely linked to the government and failing to stem the flow of fake news.

PM Narendra Modi takes a selfie with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in 2015. Photo: Twitter

But a divide between both sides is emerging, as the government seeks greater control of digital media amid a wave of discontent over India’s coronavirus pandemic response and other policies – expressed on the same platforms that helped Modi to amass a zealous following.

“The government rose to power riding on an information revolution through social media,” said Srinivas Kodali, a researcher with Free Software Movement, a coalition of organisations promoting the adoption of free software.

“They are now concerned that the same social media platforms are being mobilised against them.”