Whenever there is a culture war, a seminal event or any debate or discussion of global importance social media serves as the best platform to its users to divulge their sides. From politicians, socialites to the common person social media has become the battleground for them to hold their guns onto each other.
Twitter has become the virtual battleground for Indian polity to lose or win over. Sometimes, it is serious, funny, apologetic, dubious, shocking, disappointing informative, controversial or call it whatever!Â
Imagine the epic scale at which micro-blogging service Twitter is used that it has become a hot bed for hackers.
Hackers of various breeds from nationalists, anti-nationalists, comic, sarcasm masters, wit master to anybody take it so seriously that by hacking the official accounts of their antagonists they feel on top of the world.
The most recent case of Twitter battle happens to be Thursday night high voltage drama by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in which all actors acted, reacted and counter-acted on Twitter.
Derek O’Brien: TMC MP first raised the question on Indian Army’s presence on toll plazas in West Bengal on Twitter
What is the Army doing at toll plazas in Bengal without Centre informing State. Watch video 2/2 pic.twitter.com/3Kxb9yYa85
— Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016
Is it Army's duty ? Is this interference part of a plan to start an internal war? Proof on this VIDEO #DeMonetisation #emergency #notesban pic.twitter.com/LxM1EvcZb6
— Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016
It hasn't stopped at Army at 2 Bengal toll plazas. Now Army in more districts.?Can confirm Murshidabad, Bengal. Have u declared Emergency ?
— Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016
#BREAKING @MamataOfficial will continue to be at Bengal Secretariat, till army at toll plazas is withdrawn.Says "I will guard democracy"
— Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016
Absolutely incorrect. Do not spread misinformation. Please https://t.co/guiFZ8YnG1
— Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 1, 2016
All respect for army, but must set record straight 1)Data is already available 2. Cannot do vehicle check,not authorized to do so 1/2
— Derek O'Brien (@quizderek) December 2, 2016
Mamata Banerjee: West Bengal CM announced her decision to stay inside State Secretariat all night demanding removal of Army from toll plazas through micro-blogging site.
Very unfortunate. Army stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal State Secretariat in a high security zone, inspite of Police objection 1/2
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016
Until and unless the Army stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal state govt secretariat, is withdrawn 1/2
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016
Absolutely wrong and misleading facts by @easterncomd We have great respect for you, but please please don't mislead the people
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016
More army deployment in diff Bengal districts Jalpaiguri,Alipurduar, Darjeeling,Barrackpur, N24Pgs, Howrah,Hooghly,Kol,Murshidabad Burdwan
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016
Indian Army: Even the Eastern Command of Army chose to reply on the matter of serious national security concern on social media
Army conducting routine exercise with full knowledge & coord with WB Police. Speculation of army taking over toll plaza incorrect @adgpi
— EasternCommand_IA (@easterncomd) December 1, 2016
Routine exercise in all NE states. In Assam @ 18 places, Arunanchal@13, WB@19, Manipur@6, Nagaland@5, Meghalaya@5, Tripura & Mizoram@1@adgpi
— EasternCommand_IA (@easterncomd) December 1, 2016
Kolkata Police chose to participate in the debate using the same channel
In almost all areas of West Bengal army has been deployed without consent of the State Govt
— West Bengal Police (@wbpolice) December 1, 2016
Congress and Rahul Gandhi official Twiiter accounts got hacked
Recently Rahul Gandhi’s official Twitter account got hacked and the hacker indubitably posted objectionable content that was laughed upon. Congress cried conspiracy while people found it funny to ever happen.
The very next day Congress official account was also hacked in a similar way.
Within hours, Congress Party’s Twitter account too got hacked and it also reflected two things- first- this shows how Twitter has become an indispensable, inseparable part of our lives? And second- How important it is to validate your thoughts, opinions that a hacking event can either make you big or put you down. Not only this, Twitteratis are too fast that any information is consumed at high speed and propagated at even faster speed.
RBI announcements and demonetisation
Whenever there are any RBI announcements, government decisions Twitter is ever ready with its witty quotes, funny pictorial graphs, edited pictures, photoshopped frames to mock the talk.Â
More than the News, here sarcasm and wit do the talking. Call it boon or bane but this is the power of social media. You can get trolled here, blame it on technology or the fast-paced consumption.
Nobody is spared here- be it the new notes or post demonetisation feeds. You see the prism of reality filtered through the jokes based on real time situations.