Over the past three days, social media platforms have been filled with pictures and videos that allegedly depict post-poll violence in West Bengal. More than 14 people have reportedly been killed and all the political parties in the state, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have claimed that their workers have been attacked. Although the Left and Congress party members have blamed the violence on workers of the TMC, the BJP is desperately trying to communalise this political violence by blaming it on Muslims and ‘infiltrators’.
Many BJP supporters, leaders and pro-BJP journalists have been sharing misleading posts, unverifiable pictures and inflammatory rumours with a communal angle. There is a huge difference between the reactions of the BJP leaders and the leaders of the other parties.
Amidst all this disinformation, there are explicit calls for violence and revenge against Muslims. In recent years, the BJP IT cell has been accused of deliberately misusing social media to incite communal violence in Bengal and elsewhere.
Also Read: Fake News and Communal Incitement Add Fuel to Post-Poll Fire in West Bengal