Presenter
Vigiano Maria Giulia - University of Rome - Unitelma Sapienza, University of Rome - Unitelma Sapienza, Rome, ItalyPanel
05 – Locating Hate in the Ordinary: Violence, Power and Majoritarianism in South AsiaAbstract
Misinformation is an important tool for inciting hatred. In India, the term ‘Whatsapp University’ has found popularity in the past few years. The term refers to the phenomenon of misinformation being spread through WhatsApp. This paper explores the role of the ‘WhatsApp University’ in disseminating hatred in India. It will outline what ‘WhatsApp University’ is, its terminology’s history, and then discuss its cultural implications at length. The paper will look at some of the most outrageous and inciteful materials disseminated through this network which passes off as ‘WhatsApp university’, as the primary data for analysis. It will further highlight how misinformation translates directly into on-ground incidents of violence against persons who are intersectionally marginalized. The materials will then be critically analyzed to look at their role in inciting violence and civil unrest. This paper will critically engage with this cultural apparatus of misinformation dissemination and the role of social media in furthering majoritarian interests.
