SOCIAL MEDIA: GOOD PLACE TO BE A FUNDAMENTALIST

Mukesh Devrari 

In the literal sense fundamentalism is a form of a religion that upholds belief in the strict, literal interpretation of scripture. It exists in various degrees. Social media provided impetus to fundamentalist forces around the globe. It is an open allegation against the functioning of social media. It is possible to work anonymously in the public sphere created by social media for social intercourse on a variety of subjects. This luxury of anonymity is not available in traditional media. Even without being anonymous, people can spread filth all around, like people are doing on Twitter, perhaps the most dangerous platform for unregulated hooliganism and right-wing propaganda. 

In the physical presence of ‘the other’ social etiquettes remain in existence. This good mannerism must not be underestimated as it is essential for the peaceful existence of society. In real life, people do not use derogatory or outrightly inflammatory remarks against others, but in networked spaces their propensity to be outrageous increases considerably against their fellow inmates. After all, we all are prisoners in this world in many ways.

The comparative freedom to become creators of messages in the hands of ordinary citizens at times make the hard-won universal ideals vulnerable. It is not very easy to understand the need for practising great ideas which mankind has discovered after ages of social churning among opposite ideas.

In more real terms we know that the fundamentalist groups have a presence in social media and they effectively use it for spreading their propaganda. It has been noted that most of the terror strikes in Europe are the result of indoctrination of youths in Europe through social media. The attackers were born and brought up in Europe itself, still, they chose to work as a lone wolf for fundamentalist ideologues.

Fundamentalist forces of all colours exist among us. In India, we mostly come across religious fundamentalists. Hindutva forces among them are most powerful. Islamic fundamentalists also exist among us. Hindu fundamentalists have a strong presence in social media. They constantly work to equate communism and secularism with treason. They want to convert secular India into Hindu state. They believe that the Hindu religion should be accepted as the main anchor in shaping public policies and cultural practices. 

Most of the left-leaning public intellectuals have been threatened by these lunatic forces which want to take society thousand years back. It is a general understanding that Hindus consider Islamic and Christian fundamentalism highly dangerous, but they don’t believe that Hindu fundamentalists pose any danger to Indian society and state. However right-wing fundamentalists have launched a campaign to counter individuals who promote rationale thoughts and scientific temperament in India society.

Fundamentalism as an idea can also be seen outside the religion. Communists do not believe in any religion, but communist fundamentalists also exist. They generally refuse to accept any interpretation of society which does not fit into the structural arrangements created or defined or captured or explained by Karl Marx.

There is also another category of neo-liberal fundamentalists, who refuse to budge from basic outlines created by the conservative economists. They prescribe the same solution to all economic problems around the world. In all the above cases, logic and rationality have no place. They are rigid and always refuse to dilute their ideological positions. Social media is a new tool in their hands to increase their cult following. 

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