In the age of social media, information spreads rapidly across the internet, making it easy for anyone to publish claims or threats that can escalate social and political tensions. Recently, India has witnessed numerous cases where individuals used threats via email and social media to spread hatred and chaos.

An Old Tactic in a New Style

It is evident that an old tactic is being reused but in a different style. Previously, there were attempts to create chaos in communities through incidents such as throwing corpses or meat in front of Hindu temples to tarnish the reputation of Muslims. However, with the development of social media and the spread of news online, this tactic has become easier and faster to reach as many people as possible. Through email or posts on Twitter or Facebook, false threats or fabricated information can be spread to sow discord and incite fear.

These threats, which may initially seem unserious or false, lead to catastrophic results in the long run. The rapid spread of fake news instills fear and hatred among individuals, contributing to increased sectarian divisions in society. By portraying Muslims as the main perpetrators of these events, any efforts for peaceful coexistence between religions are undermined.

Online Threats: Notable Examples

Threat to Kumbh Festival

In December, an online threat targeted the Hindu Kumbh festival. The threat came from an account named "Nasser Pathan" and included messages threatening to bomb the festival and kill thousands of participants. After police investigation, it was discovered that the account was fake, and the person responsible for the messages was a 17-year-old student named Aayush Kumar Jaiswal.

Investigations revealed that the young man used a fake Muslim name to send the threats as a "joke," attempting to implicate Muslims and tarnish their reputation. This incident raised widespread questions about how technology is used to create sectarian divisions in society.

The Second Case: Threat to Ram Temple

On December 27, 2023, Devendra Tiwari, a resident of Lucknow, received a threatening email from an alleged account named "Zubair Khan." The email included threats to bomb the Ram Temple and kill prominent government officials, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

However, after thorough investigations, it was found that the email was sent by two Hindu individuals who used fake Islamic names to send the threats with the aim of spreading hatred and reinforcing negative stereotypes about Muslims.

Analyses indicated that this type of threat is nothing but a political game aimed at increasing hatred towards Muslims by portraying them as a threat to the country's internal security. It was also found that the individuals were actually trying to misuse their false affiliation to create hostility between communities. This raises questions about how rumors and lies spread in the age of social media and how anyone can exploit online platforms to spread hatred.

Political Tactics and Identity Manipulation

These incidents are not new. Often, the Muslim community in India faces deliberate manipulation to tarnish its image in the media and society. The most common tactic is to spread false threats attributed to individuals belonging to Islamic religions, aiming to reinforce negative stereotypes about Muslims in society. However, with the development of social media, this method has become more powerful and widespread.

Professor Apoorvanand from Delhi University points out that these tricks have been used in the past on several occasions to tarnish the reputation of Muslims. Blaming "others" in hostile situations and false threats can lead to increased sectarian strife. These tactics do not merely target individuals but seek to impart a religious character to daily incidents, creating an environment filled with suspicion and distrust between communities.

Impact on Communities

It is clear that these incidents directly affect the Muslim community, as they are held responsible for actions they did not commit. Additionally, these false threats contribute to reinforcing sectarian divisions, leading to more violence and conflicts between individuals and communities. By falsely exploiting religious identity, a state of polarization and tension is created that is difficult to overcome.

These incidents also contribute to the growth of Islamophobia, where Muslims are viewed as "enemies" or "threats" to national security. These tricks are used to spread fear and reinforce divisions among different groups in society, making it difficult to build mutual trust between sects.

The Political Aspect of Threats

There is a strong political aspect associated with these online threats. Although some individuals may carry out these attacks for personal reasons or due to affiliation with certain groups, the larger goal is to create a state of political polarization and benefit from sectarian divisions. For example, Devendra Tiwari, who was involved in several similar cases, aimed to gain political benefits by fueling sectarian tensions and using them as a tool to achieve his goals.

It has become clear that these threats do not only originate from ordinary individuals but also from political figures seeking to benefit from these strifes to increase their popularity or achieve electoral gains. With the repetition of these incidents, the question remains: Is there a political intention to increase sectarian hostility in society?

The Role of Media

The media plays an important role in shaping public opinion and conveying news objectively, but it can sometimes be a party to reinforcing negative stereotypes. In cases like these, some media outlets tend to portray Muslims as the source of every threat, contributing to the growth of Islamophobia in society.

The spread of misleading videos or false information through platforms like X (formerly Twitter) makes it difficult to distinguish between truth and deception. In many cases, these means are exploited to divert attention from the real culprits and pressure a certain group in society to tarnish its reputation.

Conclusion

Sectarian threats online are among the most dangerous challenges facing modern societies. They not only destroy the lives of targeted individuals but also threaten the social and human fabric of communities. There must be greater awareness among everyone, whether individuals or institutions, to limit the spread of these negative patterns and confront them decisively. At the same time, the efforts of governments and civil society must come together to combat Islamophobia and reduce the negative impacts of these incidents, ensuring a more tolerant and coexistent society.