BJP's 'shadowy' social media accounts pushing out political ads, promoting communal, divisive content

Counterview Desk

The NGO network, Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan, has alleged in a statement that the BJP is spreading sea of hatred on social media before Jharkhand elections, regretting, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is mum despite shocking facts revealed in a research report.

Text:

A research report released on 6 November 2024 by Tech Justice Law Project, Indian American Muslim Council, India Civil Watch International, Hindus for Human Rights and Dalit Solidarity Forum has once again exposed BJP’s hateful agenda and the election commission’s bias. This report, based on the assessment of transparency data available on Facebook, has revealed two things, 1) BJP is secretly spending crores of rupees to spread communalism and dehumanizing Adivasi Chief Minister on social media and 2) BJP is doing this by creating many shadow pages and accounts. Shadow accounts are those which promote and work for a particular political party but are not declared by the same. Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan demands immediate action against these pages.
In the last three months, BJP has spent Rs 2.25 crores on political advertisements on Facebook. Half of this money was spent by BJP's official page where 3100 advertisements were posted that made about 10 crore impressions. At the same time, about 15000 paid advertisements were spread through shadow pages by spending Rs 87 lakh which were viewed about 45 crore times. The research has identified 90 such shadow accounts, the main ones among which are 'Jharkhand Choupal' and other ‘Choupal’ accounts associated with it.
While BJP's official page pushes out political ads, these shadow accounts mainly post communal and divisive content. Including ads against the Hemant Soren government and alliance parties. Four main types of ads were identified – first, that portray Muslims as the enemy; second, which promote communal divide; third, where the Adivasi chief minister of Jharkhand Hemant Soren is portrayed as a beast with horns on his head; and fourth, with conspiracy theories about 'infiltrators'. The readers are incited and mobilized against Hemant Soren government and the INDIA parties through these posts. About 90 such shadow pages are operating across the state that post 5 times the number of ads as BJP and garners 4 times more online impressions. Some examples are attached.

One of the communal videos being circulated on the accounts shows a group of people dressed in saffron clothes as Hindus and a group dressed in green clothes as Muslims. The Hindu group first runs away from the Muslim group. Then the Hindu group unites and runs after the Muslim group. The basic lesson shared through the video is that if Hindus unite, they can finish Muslims.
Interestingly, these Facebook pages do not have BJP’s name or election symbol. But their posts highlight BJP’s communal agenda. Since all the posts are paid for means that Facebook is making money while spreading them. The study also states that the mobile numbers, websites, and address provided on the pages were fake and didn’t exist.
Compared to BJP, other parties have barely spent any money on social media for paid advertisements. The Supreme Court’s order says that the code of conduct and election rules apply to social media as well. But it seems that the Election Commission has given BJP a free reign to use shadow pages to spread communal hatred and polarize voters on religious grounds. A similar indifferent attitude is visible in the speeches of BJP politicians and ministers as well. Even after the implementation of the code of conduct, all the major BJP politicians including Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma are polarizing the voters on religious grounds by delivering hateful and provocative speeches and asking for votes in the name of religion. Himanta Biswa Sarma is doing nothing but this. Despite numerous complaints made to the Chief Electoral Officer against this serious violation of the code of conduct, no action has been taken from his side. It seems that the Election Commission is working like BJP’s party office.
Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan reminds the Election Commission of its constitutional responsibility and dignity and demands the following:
- All shadow pages working for BJP should be closed immediately and legal action should be taken based on communal and divisive posts shared by them.
- Polarizing voters by silently spending lakhs on shadow accounts is economic and political corruption. The Election Commission should act against this corruption.
- The election commission must act on the complaints given by Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan.

Comments

Adani coalmine delayed? Australian senate fails to pass crucial "reform" amendment for project's financial closure

Adanis' Mundra power plant, controversial in Australia By A Representative In what is being described as a new “new hurdle”, the proposed Adani coalmine in the Queensland state of in Australia failed to get the crucial Australian Parliamentary nod, essential for financial closure for one of the biggest coalmining projects in the world. The government lost the Senate vote 35-33, meaning the legislation won't pass until the Senate returns in mid-June.

Aurangzeb’s last will recorded by his Maulvi: Allah shouldn't make anyone emperor

By Mohan Guruswamy Aurangzeb’s grave is a simple slab open to the sky lying along the roadside at Khuldabad near Aurangabad. I once stopped by to marvel at the tomb of an Emperor of India whose empire was as large as Ashoka the Great's. It was only post 1857 when Victoria's domain exceeded this. The epitaph reads: "Az tila o nuqreh gar saazand gumbad aghniyaa! Bar mazaar e ghareebaan gumbad e gardun bas ast." (The rich may well construct domes of gold and silver on their graves. For the poor folks like me, the sky is enough to shelter my grave) The modest tomb of Aurangzeb is perhaps the least recognised legacies of the Mughal Emperor who ruled the land for fifty eventful years. He was not a builder having expended his long tenure in war and conquest. Towards the end of his reign and life, he realised the futility of it all. He wrote: "Allah should not make anyone an emperor. The most unfortunate person is he who becomes one." Aurangzeb’s last will was re...

Beyond his riding skill, Karl Umrigar was admired for his radiance, sportsmanship, and affability

By Harsh Thakor* Karl Umrigar's name remains etched in the annals of Indian horse racing, a testament to a talent tragically cut short. An accident on the racetrack at the tender age of nineteen robbed India of a rider on the cusp of greatness. Had he survived, there's little doubt he would have ascended to international stature, possibly becoming the greatest Indian jockey ever. Even 46 years after his death, his name shines brightly, reminiscent of an inextinguishable star. His cousin, Pesi Shroff, himself blossomed into one of the most celebrated jockeys in Indian horse racing.

Haven't done a good deed, inner soul is cursing me as sinner: Aurangzeb's last 'will'

Counterview Desk The Tomb of Aurangzeb, the last of the strong Mughal emperors, located in Khuldabad, Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, has this epitaph inscribed on it: "Az tila o nuqreh gar saazand gumbad aghniyaa! Bar mazaar e maa ghareebaan gumbad e gardun bas ast" (the rich may well construct domes of gold and silver on their graves. For the poor folks like me, the sky is enough to shelter my grave).

Trust, we (from People to PM and President) did not take a Holy Dip in some Holy Shit!

By Dr Mansee Bal Bhargava I could see two deeply interlinked aspects between human and water in #MahaKumbh2025. Firstly, the HOPE that a ‘holy dip’ in the River Ganga (colloquially referred as dubki and spiritually as ‘Snan’) will cleanse oneself (especially the sins); and secondly, the TRUST that the water is pure to perform the cleansing alias living the hope. Well, I consider hope to be self-dependent while, trust is a multi-party dependent situation. The focus here is on the trust and I shall write later on hope.

Hyderabad seminar rekindles memories of the spark lit 50 years ago by students

By Harsh Thakor* History is something we constantly remember and reflect upon, but certain moments and events bring it back to our memory in a special way. For the Telugu people, and Telangana in particular, the memorial seminar held on February 20–21 was a significant occasion to recall the glorious events, transformations, leaders, and heroes of past struggles. Thousands of students rewrote the history of people's movements in Andhra Pradesh, carrying revolutionary zeal and the spirit of self-sacrifice to levels comparable to the Russian and Chinese Revolutions.

State Human Rights Commission directs authorities to uphold environmental rights in Vadodara's Vishwamitri River Project

By A Representative The Gujarat State Human Rights Commission (GSHRC) has ordered state and Vadodara municipal authorities to strictly comply with environmental and human rights safeguards during the Vishwamitri River Rejuvenation Project, stressing that the river’s degradation disproportionately affects marginalized communities and violates citizens’ rights to a healthy environment. The Commission mandated an immediate halt to ecologically destructive practices, rehabilitation of affected communities, transparent adherence to National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders, and public consultations with experts and residents. The order follows the Concerned Citizens of Vadodara coalition—environmentalists, ecologists, and urban planners—submitting a detailed letter to authorities, amplifying calls for accountability. The group warned that current plans to “re-section” and “desilt” the river contradict the NGT’s 2021 Vishwamitri River Action Plan, which prioritizes floodpla...

Vadodara citizens urge authorities to adhere to environmental mandates in Vishwamitri River Rejuvenation Project

By A Representative A coalition of environmental activists, ecologists, and urban planners in Vadodara has issued an urgent appeal to state and municipal authorities, demanding strict compliance with court-mandated guidelines for the upcoming Vishwamitri River rejuvenation project. Scheduled to commence in March 2025, the initiative aims to mitigate flooding and restore the river, but citizens warn that current plans risk violating National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders and jeopardizing the river’s fragile ecosystem, home to endangered species like crocodiles and Indian Softshell Turtles.

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das* India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on. A soft attitude always creates strong relationships. A relationship should not depend only on spoken words. They should rely on understanding the unspoken feeling too. So w...

Buddhist communities in Michigan protest for Mahabodhi Temple’s return to Buddhist control

By A Representative Buddhist communities in Michigan have staged protests demanding the return of the Mahabodhi Vihara in Gaya, Bihar, India, to full Buddhist control. The Mahabodhi Temple, regarded as the holiest pilgrimage site in Buddhism, is currently managed under the Bodhgaya Temple Act of 1949, which grants a majority of control to non-Buddhists.

Search This Blog