Mumbai (TOI): Modi’s win has not only affected the Sensex, but even the nation’s virtual emotions. As Narendra Modi’s crowning as PM approaches, a bitter war has erupted on social media between left-liberals and supporters of the new dispensation, some of whom are indeed best friends in real life too.
While many still believe in Modis statement “Acche din ane wale hai”, an equal number are worried about his “aggressive” attitude and his real agenda. Over the past few days, those who have been friends on social media have started fierce personal attacks against each other, some even going to the extent of “unfriending” their friends on Facebook because of these differences.
Some of the comments on Facebook after Modi’s win
1.”Are you serious? People unfriending each other over political views! Does friendship need politics?” wrote a young woman on Facebook.
2. An Indian activist-author based in Europe recently got so furious with her Facebook friend and went to the extent of “unfriending” him.
3.”Brilliant!! Utterly, disgracefully anti-democratic — and full of useless lies that the Indian electorate has seen through completely. If you want to criticize, please do so based on facts rather than fiction and imagination.”
4. My own interactions with Modi supporters have given me cause to believe that many of them like him because of his hardline stance toward Muslims, which he did not draw attention to in the elections because he has already proved his credentials on that front. And I also think that Arundhati Roy is right in that his ruthlessness is what makes him attractive to corporations.”
5.”In fact, I am relieved to be away from the euphoria. It is truly scary.” , A Vancouver-based author wrote on social media.
6. “Their rants are understandable considering that they are facing an existential threat now that what they thought unthinkable has happened. These folks have strained every nerve and muscle to argue and convince others why Modi should not win. They are too shocked now to accept the reality of the people’s verdict.”
7.”There is an optimism currently that is almost manic in intensity, so if the promises are not delivered upon, we will next have a major depressive feeling.”
Psychiatrist Harish Shetty called this reaction an ‘emotional arousal.’ “The overall mental health has improved with all the talk of hope, but there is a sharp divide among people who support Modi and those who don’t.” Within families as well, he reported intense emotional battles brought on by Modi’s victory. “I see families where spouses are divided over Modi,”he says.
