India’s self-declared status as Vishwaguru—the guru to the world—has delivered one clear "achievement": the alarming rise in the demand and supply of fake news, and an equally troubling growth in the mindless arrogance of its upper middle classes. Particularly disturbing is the conduct of those who’ve earned sudden "name and fame" through the new-age licence-permit raj—the digital and social media-driven machinery that rewards hatred, sensationalism, and vulgarity.
Let’s not forget, the same lala media that once screamed against the Congress-era licence-permit raj is now thriving under a much worse version—where conformity to majoritarian narratives is the new license, and abuse of power is the permit.
We live in a time where "influencers" and self-styled nationalists wear hatred as a badge of honour. The digital space has become a breeding ground for spreading venom. A recent example is a young law student from West Bengal who hurled obscene “maa-bahen” abuses on social media. She was later arrested. Following this, many jumped to her defense, claiming she had apologized and should be forgiven. But let’s be clear—her language wasn't just vulgar; it reflected deeper rot. Such abusive language is not an act of liberation, as some claim. It reinforces the regressive jaati-varna hierarchy and normalizes desi-patriarchy. It's not empowerment; it is entrenchment.
Meanwhile, another video surfaced—this time from Istanbul, where an Indian vlogger argued with a local vendor and later filmed a local woman speaking to him politely. What followed was appalling. In a live blog, he switched the camera to himself and used sexually explicit language about her in Hindi, assuming she wouldn’t understand. This is not just a one-off case of bad behaviour. It’s a pattern—Indians abroad using their native tongue as a weapon of derision and vulgarity, assuming immunity due to linguistic ignorance of others. It reflects a toxic mindset: one that ridicules others for their skin tone, language, or dress, all while claiming moral superiority.
This growing arrogance among our youth, fed by instant fame and blind applause, needs urgent introspection. Instead of obsessing over being the third or fourth largest economy, or boasting about our "bestest" democracy, we need to ground ourselves in reality. True development lies in inclusive growth, not mindless bravado.
Let’s be honest: the world is watching. Every vulgar video, every abusive rant, every chauvinistic act circulates in the global space within minutes. While these "superstars" may command fanatical followings at home, they are often a source of national embarrassment abroad.
Unfortunately, our lala media is not only complicit, it is a key player in this decay. It continues to amplify toxic voices, normalize hate speech, and legitimize the coarsening of public discourse. The “maa-bahen” lingo has become the new normal—even among the so-called educated elites.
It’s high time we course-correct. If we truly aspire to global respect, we must clean up our discourse. We must discourage the celebration of vulgarity masquerading as freedom, and we must stop rewarding those who trade in hate for clicks and cash.
Let us aim to be a society known not for fake bravado, but for real values: dignity, diversity, and democratic decency.
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*Human rights defender
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