New Delhi: As opposition parties prepare to protest against Union Home Minister Amit Shah for allegedly insulting Dr BR Ambedkar, the BJP has activated its social media strategy to counter the allegations and target opposition groups, especially the Congress.
The BJP alleged that the Congress had “distorted” Shah’s remarks during the parliamentary debate on the 75th anniversary of the Indian Constitution. Using memes, short videos, and video clips, the BJP’s social media team of influencers has launched a vigorous campaign aimed at defaming the Congress. The campaign questioned the Congress’s contribution to the Dalit community, focused on what the party had done for Dalits, and accused the Congress of manipulating Shah’s speech for political gain.
Mainly targeted at Dalit-majority areas, the BJP’s online materials claim that the Congress distorted Shah’s statement to boost its political standing. Additionally, the BJP’s IT team is addressing the claims of opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which recently announced scholarships for Dalit students. The BJP responded by highlighting that a similar scheme was introduced by the AAP in 2019, but only five students had applied since its inception.
Moreover, the BJP is reminding voters of the controversial comments made by Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders against Dalits aimed at undermining the opposition’s credibility. A senior BJP leader said, “We have kept our social media attacks straight. We want people to ask the Congress what they did for Dr Ambedkar. When you have nothing concrete to say, you lie and spread propaganda, which is what the Congress is doing.”
To support its campaign, the BJP has provided social media influencers with a comparative analysis of the government’s achievements for the Dalit community since 2014, as well as a comparative analysis of what the current NDA government has done against previous administrations. Influencers from the Dalit community are also stepping up to amplify the BJP’s message and the opposition’s propaganda.