In today’s digital era, tweets have become tools of protest and hashtags have become slogans. Social media have become a powerful platform. Social media has given the place to common people where they can raise their voice in front of world. In a country like India, social media has given new shape to social issues such as – caste equality, gender rights, farmer’s struggle and human rights. This article is specifically in context of India where we will explore that how social media create narratives. In the modernized digital era, communication and raising voices became easy. Social media acts as a catalyst for social change by raising the voices of marginalized. Social media is a great platform for all those individuals and communities those who have been historically underrepresented from the mainstream media to share their stories to the audience globally.
Earlier, significant tools for raising awareness, rally support, and influencing opinions of public regarding social justice issues were in the form of newspapers, rallies, television and radios. These chains of media helped to spread the message of movements. Other channels were also there such as pamphlets, leaders, activists. These old methods of spreading social justice awareness were effective in their own way, but it was only for the limited audience and it lacked the speed and inclusivity that digital platforms provide today. Social media is dynamic. With the rapid rise of internet and most importantly, social media platforms- Instagram , Facebook, Twitter and many more. The dynamics of change-maker underwent astonished transformation. Social media is emerged as one of the powerful and influential tool for advancing social justice in India. The issues were once restricted to small groups is now reaching to millions through social media platforms like Instagram, facebook, twitter.
Positive role of social media in justice:
The rise of citizen journalism is one of the strongest positive impact of social media in India. There are situations when traditional media acts biased, at that time social media gives a direct platform to speak and raise voice. Any individual with the help of video, photo, or post can share the truth to the world . This creates a good impact for those cases for which the mainstream media ignores the report. Social media has raised many important movements which reacted globally such as #MeToo movement, #FarmersProtestand manymore.
Some highlighted positive impacts are as follows:
FarmersProtest [2020-2021]
Social media amplified the voices of farmers and their struggle which gave farmers global attention. International celebrities and other organizations supported the trend called #FarmersProtest.
MeToo Movement [2018]
Social media made MeToo movement a digital revolution where the oppressed voices came in the center stage. If we were dependent on traditional media then the widespread may not be possible.
In this way social media becomes “voice to voiceless”. And marginalized people can share their experiences. Social media can brought national and international attention to issues.
Negative role of social media in justice:
No matter how powerful social media is for social justice but sometimes it also do harm. Social media is a double – edged swordwhere in one way they spread awareness and on the other way it spreads misinformation and hate. Fake news and half-truths spreads rapidly because of which communal tension misunderstanding increases.
For example- During the time of farmers protest some fake videos and viral videos went viral due to which protesters were seen as “misguided” and “anti-national”.
Trolling and online harassment are also major problems. Activists and journalists who speaks about social justice they also receive hate messages, threats, and face cyberbullying. Another most important challenge is Digital divide. Everyone has equal access to the internet, especially in rural areas. Which means that those who have proper internet access their voices can be raised easily but poor and remote communities problems are pressed down in social media. In this way, social media has given empowerment in one side and on the other side toxicity and polarization.
Case Studies:
- #DalitLivesMatter-
This movement was India’s one of the most important social justice campaign where voices was raised against caste-based discrimination and violence. This movement was especially highlighted after the release of incidents such as Hathras case [2020]. Social media platforms like twitter and Instagram where people through hashtags showcased solidarity and demanded for justice. Earlier, when caste atrocities were limited to local level, now, through social media, it has grabbed the attention internationally.
Impact: The #DalitLivesMatter movement had a severe social and political impact in India. It brought ignored caste-based discrimination and violence into the public discussion. Social media has given collective voice to the marginalised communities . Due to hashtags and viral posts national media and policymakers felt forced that these issues can’t be ignored. This movement has created an awareness in society that social justice is only possible when we will challenge caste-based bias and untouchability. Overall, social media has played an important role for Dalits.
- #SaveAarey movement
Aarey is a forest In Mumbai for which this hashtag was initiated. Government had planned to cut hundreds of trees to make metro car shed. Many environment lovers and students opposed this. In social media #SaveAarey went viral and protests were done through petitions. It grabbed the international attention. After this government stopped this project. This movement showed that social media is not only for social and political causes but it also helps in environmental justice. It is also a powerful platform for environmental justice. All these movements have clearly shown that social media has transformed the way people raise their voices for justice in India
Impact: The #SaveAarey campaign created a strong wave of environmental awareness and civic participation in India. Earlier when environmental issues were not taken as a concern then social media turned it public concern. Thousands of people, students, and environmentalists joined hands online toprotect Mumbai’s Aarey forest. #SaveAarey grabbed the national attention and due to this government stopped . Due to this movement public understood that city development and to save environment both are important. Social media encouraged youth to speak about environmental justice
- FarmersProtest[2020-2021]
In June 2020, central government of India introduced three agricultural reform bills. The main motive was to privatize agricultural market and to modernize India’s farming practices. It was government’s belief that if private companies will enter the farming, investment will increase and farmers will get flexibility to sell the crops.
Impact: Massive protest- Farmers specially of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh were protesting against the government. This protest was also one of the biggest protest of India.
Loud Social Media made this hashtag a global trend. Government faced a lot of criticism and on 2021 Prime Minister Modi announced that laws will be withdrawn.
At the end, it’s clear that social media has become both a tool for empowerment and test of responsibility. I gives ordinary citizens the power. The power to raise their voices expose justice. Movements like #MeToo movement #DalitLives Matter #SaveAarey and farmers protest has proven the fact that digital platform can bring a real social change. On the other side of coin, the spread of fake news, online hate and digital inequality showed that this power can also be misused.
Therefore, the real strength of social media lies in how responsibly it is used. If it is handled wisely, it can continue to be one of the strongest pillars of democracy and a driving force for social justice in India.
Author Bio- Jastej Arora is a first-year BBA-LLB (Hons.) student at Unitedworld School of Law, Karnavati University.
