On the eve of January 7, Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone visited Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), expressing solidarity with the students injured in the JNU attack of January 5. A section of individuals on social media criticised the actor, terming her move a publicity stunt for her latest release ‘Chhapaak,’ a film inspired by the life story of acid attack survivor Laxmi Aggarwal.

Soon after, #BoycottChhapaak started trending with the claim that the film gave Aggarwal’s perpetrator, Naeem Khan, a Hindu identity. On January 8, Alt News reported that the allegation was false.

A disturbing trend emerged when we analysed several of the Twitter accounts that put out the said misinformation. A large section of them was anonymous users followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with BJP office-bearers. Alt News found over 80 Twitter users followed by PM Modi who shared targeted misinformation about ‘Chhapaak.’

BJP leaders/ office-bearers

On January 8, the official Twitter account of BJP Jammu and Kashmir tweeted (archive link) that the party’s state president seeks an apology from Deepika Padukone for “backstabbing” the nation for standing with “tukde tukde gang”.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy tweeted (archive link) that the “name change” amounts to defamation if found to be true.

BJP member Nandita Thakur tweeted (archive link), “If Its based on real story why change Name of the villian of the real story ?? Basheer Khan is also not acceptable.”

Jawahar Yadav, the Head of Publicity BJP Haryana, also tweeted (archive link) the trending misinformation. Piyush Fofandi, former zonal head at BJP Samvad Cell (as per his old Twitter bio which was later edited) posted (archive link) an image which said ‘Boycott Chhapaak’ and wrote, “The name of the person who did the acid attack was Nadeem but in the film it’s Rajesh. This mindset is behind to discrediting the Hindu. #बॉयकॉट_छपाक #boycottchhapaak”

[Translated from: एसिड अटैक में घायल लड़की पर तेजाब फैंकने बाला #नदीम नाम का लड़का था पर फिल्म में राजेश रखा है ।ये है उनकी मानसिकता हिन्दू को बदनाम करने की । #बॉयकॉट_छपाक  #boycottchhapaak]”

Similarly, Priyanka Sharma (archive link), a member of BJYM Howrah (as per Twitter bio) and Satish Maisuriya (archive link), Vice President Of Bhartiya Janta Party Yuva Morcho, Surat (as per bio) also tweeted misinformation about ‘Chhapaak.’

Prominent RW handles

On January 8, Prasanna Viswanathan, CEO of Swarajyamag, tweeted (archive link),The Ways Of Bollywood: In Deepika Padukone-Starer Chhapaak, Acid Attacker Naeem Khan Said To Have Become ‘Rajesh’” along with a link to an article on his publication. This was also tweeted (archive link) by Impreet Singh Bakshi, the National Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM).

OpIndia’s Nupur Sharma tweeted, “If secularism means changing “Nadeem” to “Rajesh”, set secularism on fire.” Sharma has deleted the tweet, a screenshot is attached below. Similarly, Abhishek Banerjee who writes for OpIndia said in a tweet (archive link), “Liberals be like : When CAA is passed : We will all report ourselves as belonging to ‘secular’ religion to show solidarity. When Naeem throws acid on Laxmi’s face : Change the offender’s name to Rajesh.”

The editor-in-chief of Goa Chronicle Savio Rodrigues tweeted (archive link), “If Nadeem threw acid on the brave girl portrayed in the movie #Chhapaak in real life and it is a true story; then what happened you got scared of the Islamic radicals @deepikapadukone and named the culprit Rajesh because it easy to insult Hindus.”

Shefali Vaidya, columnist and BJP supporter, tweeted (archive link), “Waise why is the perpetrator who threw acid is called ‘Rajesh Sharma’ in that movie instead of Nadeem Khan, who was the REAL culprit who threw acid on Lakshmi Agarwal?”

Twitter user Gaurav Pradhan posted, “Laxmi Agarwal faced a brutal Acid attacked in 2005 in New Delhi by Nadeem Khan as she refused to marry him Question : Why in film @deepikapadukone changed the name “Nadeem Khan” to Hindu name “Rajesh”? Shameless Hindus will still watch film and clap.” Pradhan is a familiar name in the misinformation ecosystem. In 2018, Alt News published a report documenting the several instances of misinformation put out by him. Pradhan’s account was recently suspended by Twitter.

@RitaG74, former presenter at All India Radio (as per Twitter bio), tweeted (archive link), “Laxmi Aggarwal-A 15 year old school going girl in Delhi. Wanted to be a singer. 32 year old Nadeem Khan approached her for marriage. She rejected. Angry Nadeem Khan threw acid on her face. Laxmi’s story attracted Bollywood. Nadeem’s name changed to Rajesh #NameItLikeBolllywood”

Makarand R Paranjape, the director of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, quote-tweeted Shefali Vaidya and said, “The politics of naming in Bollywood is insidious, if not viciously anti-Hindu. But will @deepikapadukone speak out against it? Paranjape later deleted this tweet. Another account @TruelyMoica (archive link) also put out misinformation. 

Anonymous users

Several accounts that spread misinformation about the film were anonymous. The followers of these users range from a few hundred to several thousand, however together their reach is significant.

Twitter user @erbmjha, who has shared misinformation in the past, said (archive link), “1. Article 15 They turn the accused into BRAHMINS 2. Padmavat They hurt their cultural sentiments related to the respectable Rani Padmini 3. Chhapaak They changed Acid attackers name from “Nadeem” to “Rajesh” Bollywood to defame Hindus has to end.”

@Lala_The_Don tweeted (archive link), “A friend of mine who works in Bollywood told me that #Chappak dialogues are getting changed overnight and Rajesh will be renamed to Bashir before release. This is people’s power. We won! People won! Jai Hind.” This retweeted at least 1,400 times. @Lala_The_Don regularly shares posts by Political Kida, a platform that has been featured on Alt News several times for misinformation and propaganda favouring the BJP.

Similarly, @HDL_Global, in which HDL stands for Hindu Defense League, tweeted (archive link), “We won’t say boycott @deepikapadukone for her solidarity with anti Hindu brigade but #BoycottChapak for they changed the character of Nadeem to Rajesh just to defame Hindus and have no spine to stand against Islamists,” on January 8. The account regularly shared provocative tweets.

The entire list of 84 individuals along with the archived links of their tweets can be viewed below or in a PDF file here.

Twitter handleTwitter user nameTwitter BioTweetArchive LinkRtsLikesFollowers
@BJP4JnKBJP J&Khttps://twitter.com/BJP4JnK/status/1215256227715801090https://archive.is/hV4Kj6820749.9k
@impreetsbakshiImpreet Singh Bakshi ਇਮਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੀNational Secretary @BJYM
Incharge of @bjym4chd
https://twitter.com/impreetsbakshi/status/1214913352180236288
https://archive.is/ohldL3159k
@jawaharyadavbjpJawahar YadavFormer Chairman Haryana Housing Board. Former OSD to Hon'ble C.M @mlkhattar
प्रचार प्रमुख @BJP4Haryana
https://twitter.com/jawaharyadavbjp/status/1214896770553020416https://archive.is/IvlPP8827732.2k
@MakrandParanspeMakarand R ParanjapeDirector of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimlahttps://twitter.com/MakrandParanspe/status/1214906496128933888https://archive.is/atcoJ6621556.6k
@TrulyMonicaMonicaSpokeperson, Ex journalisthttps://twitter.com/TrulyMonica/status/1215165084940427264https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/TrulyMonica/status/1215165084940427264146530k
@piyushfofandiPiyush FofandiPresident : Seafood Exporter Association of India. Gujarat Region.
Ex Zonal Head : BJP Samvad Cell,
https://twitter.com/piyushfofandi/status/1214790744289923072https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/piyushfofandi/status/12147907442899230725910.9k
@prasannavishyPrasanna ViswanathanCEO Swarajya Magazinehttps://twitter.com/prasannavishy/status/1214872210239700993https://archive.is/CBbg4293491105.3k
@PriyankabjymPriyanka SharmaBYJM BJPhttps://twitter.com/Priyankabjym/status/1214864121637654531http://archive.is/my1Mh7220711k
@RitaG74Rita🇮🇳Former presenter at All India Radiohttps://twitter.com/RitaG74/status/1214891071097847808https://archive.is/3inLC446760.5k
@satishmaisuriya
Satish Maisuriya🇮🇳
Vice President Of Bhartiy Janta Party Yuva Morcho - Surat Cityhttps://twitter.com/satishmaisuriya/status/1214921365540786176https://archive.is/4PMAu213.5k
@ShefVaidyaShefali VaidyaAuthor, Satirist, Speaker. Fellow-Ananta Leadership Program, Convenor-Indic Academy. Love Travel, Temples And Textiles. Mum to triplets. Indian. Hindu. Womanhttps://twitter.com/ShefVaidya/status/1214865580198514691https://archive.is/unZHt6.2614k457k
@Swamy39Subramanian Swamy
Rajya Sabha MP, Fmr. Union Cabinet Minister, Harvard Ph.D in Economics; Professor, BJP National Exec. member, I give as good as I gethttps://twitter.com/Swamy39/status/1214878673150459904https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/Swamy39/status/121487867315045990421.4k60.3k8.4M
@VikashPreetamVikash Preetam Sinha
Co Incharge -National Publicity Literature Dept @BJP4India
, Advocate @Supreme Court
https://twitter.com/VikashPreetam/status/1214875671186423809https://archive.is/UIyTN20644517.2k
@01Karn
KarnBlogger~Nation 1st~Photography/Guitar lover~Engineer~RW~Bihari~Folk Artist(Mithila Painting)~Followed by PM Modi & HM Amit Shah~Team Epostmortemhttps://twitter.com/01Karn/status/1214955963859513344https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/01Karn/status/12149559638595133441113k
@AbhishBanerj
AbhishekAsst Prof (Math),IISc Bangalore.Views personal,Blog https://bit.ly/2FsGXvk/ Columns @MyNation
@Opindia_com
https://twitter.com/AbhishBanerj/status/1214856015105015809https://web.archive.org/web/20200111134027/https://twitter.com/AbhishBanerj/status/121485601510501580916439623k
@AjaySengar_
कुंवर अजयप्रताप सिंह।।जय बालाजी।। ।।गोविंदा गोविंदा।। By Profession #CA_Finalist Honoured to be Followed by PM @narendramodi
ji & HM @amitshah
ji.. RTs Not Endorsement..
https://twitter.com/AjaySengar_/status/1214847106990501890https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/AjaySengar_/status/12148471069905018906011.1k60.9k
@Amitguj281983
Amit GujarathiDoctor/Medical teacher/ #NaMo for PM
@BJP4India
#ModiDobara #AbkiBaPhirseModiSarkar #NewIndia. blessed to be followed by our PM
@narendramodi
https://twitter.com/Amitguj281983/status/1214850567467462658https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/Amitguj281983/status/1214850567467462658011772
@archu243
ArchieProud Indian | Hyper Nationalist | Sapiosexual | Honoured to be followed by NaMohttps://twitter.com/archu243/status/1214937219124858883https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/archu243/status/1214937219124858883265524.8K
@AskTamal
Tamal DasProud to be followed by Shri
@NarendraModi
Support #CAA #NRC #UCC, Population Policy, River Linking Projects, Ram Mandir
https://twitter.com/AskTamal/status/1214870095618424834https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/AskTamal/status/1214870095618424834024831
@athavale_abhi
Abhi AthavaleProud of my Army, |Don't abuse my Army and Nation| Idols J.R.D & R.Tata. Modi follower|proud to be
followed by
@narendramodi @nsitharamanoffc @PiyushGoyalOffc
https://twitter.com/athavale_abhi/status/1214883993436344321https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/athavale_abhi/status/1214883993436344321014142
@bhawana_pal
Bhawana Pal
Seeker. Ex NCC Cadet. Honoured 2 b followed by dear PM
@NarendraModi
ji
@tajinderbagga

@kapilmishra_IND
https://twitter.com/bhawana_pal/status/1214859541558386688https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/bhawana_pal/status/121485954155838668815996
@binugazi

binugazi NAMO in २०१९President Police Medal For Gallantry awardee for his role in elimnating top notch militant leader Gazi Baba.Followed by
@narendramodi
PM .Kashmir. politics
https://twitter.com/binugazi/status/1214881122770804737https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/binugazi/status/12148811227708047372224
@chintanvedant
#साहेबTruth speaker , Follow for daily motivation , success storyhttps://twitter.com/chintanvedant/status/1214849309876686848https://web.archive.org/save/https:/twitter.com/chintanvedant/status/12148493098766868487816.9K
@Dev_Jurix
ॐDevendra卐SharmaॐAdvocate, against Colonial Institutions, Ex-Nat.Gen.Secretary BJMM, BJP. Honoured to be followed by Sh.Modijihttps://twitter.com/Dev_Jurix/status/1214890271474741254https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/Dev_Jurix/status/1214890271474741254374343
@DeveshvariEsha Agerwalaहवा हूँ, हवा मैं बसंती हवा हूँ। बड़ी बावली हूं बड़ी मस्तमौला.... The essence of free spirit carrying the fragrance of Bharat ki Mitti, eternally...https://twitter.com/Deveshvari/status/1214870232830894080https://web.archive.org/save/https:/twitter.com/Deveshvari/status/1214870232830894080129886
@Dishasatra
Sabudana khichadiStag entry. Eyebrow obsessed. Nutrition Counsellor. Fashion aficionado.https://twitter.com/Dishasatra/status/1214874057419550720http://archive.is/X2nyM7922230.6K
@DrGPradhan#GauravPradhanComments w/o Prejudice #DataScience, #DigitalTransformation, #SMAC, Cyber Warfare, Global Top 100CIO, Gartner Top10 CIO, Social Entrepreneur, Founder
@GPFLive
https://twitter.com/DrGPradhan/status/1214807564388405250http://archive.is/8v2mW6.5K11.7K191.7k
@DrSRaghavachari
Dr. Suchitra RaghavachariPublic policy, Science-Technology, economy, education
-Nature, arts, sports
-Medical practitioner
-'Ekam sat vipra bhahuda vadanthi'
-'Sarve bhavanthu sukinah'
https://twitter.com/DrSRaghavachari/status/1214864153317216257https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/DrSRaghavachari/status/1214864153317216257--2058
@erbmjha
BALAConcerned with something non-essential, buffoon & writer. I utter mocking or scoffing words.https://twitter.com/erbmjha/status/1214844527485177856https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/erbmjha/status/12148445274851778561.3K2.5K46.5K
@ExSecular#SupportCAADistributer of Azaadihttps://twitter.com/ExSecular/status/1214839007617486849https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/ExSecular/status/121483900761748684928056577.2K
Gautam TanwarGautam Tanwar| Nationalist🇮🇳 | Swayamsevak| Social Activist | Blessed To Be Followed By PM @narendramodi Ji | Dist. In charge (Social Media) BJP IT Department, Palihttps://twitter.com/GautamTanwar_/status/1214908716622811136http://archive.is/7cyr64176863
@HDL_GlobalHindu Defense LeagueGlobal Handle of #HDL , Managed by
@ihvinod
https://twitter.com/HDL_Global/status/1214893493350305792https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/HDL_Global/status/121489349335030579282854.5K
@iam_manojgoenkaManoj GoenkaHardcore NaMo supporter, Followed by PM
@NarendraModi
ji, Follow me to support NaMo . RT not endorsement. #Nationalist, Love My India. Mission #Modi2024
https://twitter.com/iam_manojgoenka/status/1215232016397955072https://web.archive.org/save/https:/twitter.com/iam_manojgoenka/status/1215232016397955072-27054
@iambmaneBhavesh S ManeSocial Media Strategist ● Featured in
@TOIIndiaNews

@ThePuneMirror
● Headed SM of Gujarat Election 2017 ● Proud Indian ● Followed by प्रधानसेवक
@Narendramodi
https://twitter.com/iambmane/status/1214935648341245952https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/iambmane/status/1214935648341245952293513.2K
@iamVaridha
Varisha{इस हैंडल पर पॉलिटिक्स , ह्यूमर और मेमे के साथ बकैती उपलब्ध करायी जाएगी} #CATFISHhttps://twitter.com/iamVaridha/status/1214803959208038400https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/iamVaridha/status/12148039592080384003258959675
@ihardikshahHardik Shah// Social Media Activist Followed By PM
@narendramodi
ji // A Big Fan of Our National President
@AmitShah
//
@bjp4gujarat

@bjp4india
https://twitter.com/ihardikshah/status/1215145864211107840https://web.archive.org/save/https:/twitter.com/ihardikshah/status/12151458642111078405387
@ihiteshbansal
Hitesh BansalSocial Media | Media Monitoring | Reputation Management | Right Wing Enthusiast | Nature ❤️| Learner from Life | Followed by the Honorable PM
@narendramodi
ji
https://twitter.com/ihiteshbansal/status/1214818173645508608https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/ihiteshbansal/status/1214818173645508608478900
@iPrabhakarSingP
कूँवर प्रभाकर सिंह परिहारNationalist | Socialists | BJP | Software Engineer |Blessed by
@narendramodi
ji
@AmitShah
ji
@girirajsinghbjp
ji
@KailashOnline
ji
@nstomar
ji
#IndiaSupportsCAA
https://twitter.com/iPrabhakarSingP/status/1214922115356315649https://web.archive.org/save/https:/twitter.com/iPrabhakarSingP/status/12149221153563156492434.9K
@iSurjeetSharmaSurjeet Sharma| Sayamsevak | Honored to be followed by Hon'ble PM
@narendramodi
Ji | Hindu Religion, Culture, National Security n Politics. | Tweets with Facts | Engineer |
https://twitter.com/iSurjeetSharma/status/1214822996273192960http://archive.is/4qPqz39312977
@jeetensinghJeetendra Singhस्वतंत्रता सेनानीयों का पुत्र और पौत्र। ✴️प्रधानमंत्री के फोल्लोविंग से सम्मानित हूं।
✴️प्रधानमंत्री श्री
@narendramodi
जी पर गर्व है।
https://twitter.com/jeetensingh/status/1214854256236195842https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/jeetensingh/status/121485425623619584227745080.8K
@jothishnair1010
JOTHISH NAIRFollowed by #PrimeMinister
@narendramodi
Writer from the Green Metropolis #Trivandrum. Screen Play, Film Writer. Ancient/Political History.
https://twitter.com/jothishnair1010/status/1214877569763311617https://web.archive.org/web/20200111130946/https://twitter.com/jothishnair1010/status/12148775697633116176310K
@krithikasivasw
krithika sivaswamya Hindu,Tamil, Indian Entrepreneur from Chennai! Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam, wildlife conservation freak. Well, honoured to be followed by Modiji https://twitter.com/krithikasivasw/status/1214891464208990208https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/krithikasivasw/status/121489146420899020815447521.9K
@Kuldeep78328755Kuldeep SinghNationalist...
followed by
@narendramodi
ji
Rts not endorsement..
https://twitter.com/Kuldeep78328755/status/1214832362107703297https://web.archive.org/web/20200111131042/https://twitter.com/Kuldeep78328755/status/12148323621077032972693
@Lala_The_Don
Lä LäCorrect me if i do any Sapling wrong. HMPhttps://twitter.com/Lala_The_Don/status/1214895431194300416https://archive.is/vudob1.4k
4.5k26.1K
@Life4India
अंकुशA Proud Bharatiya, RSS, Himachali, किसान पुत्र, PM Shri Narendra Modi Followed Me, Tweets are personal Views, RT≠ endorsement, Please contributehttps://twitter.com/Life4India/status/1215014952093634560https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/Life4India/status/1215014952093634560217103
@LkChaharLokesh ChaharState Secretary Bjym Rajasthan. Member Of Telephone Advisory Committee, Govt Of India. Honoured To Be Followed By PM Shri Narendra Modihttps://twitter.com/LkChahar/status/1214833106177404928https://web.archive.org/web/20200111131256/https://twitter.com/LkChahar/status/1214833106177404928259428
@MahaveerM_Mahaveer MehtaProud Indian | Nation First | Hindu | Jain | Modinomics| Bharat Mata Ki Jai | Now UCC | 2 Child Policy | Blessed 2 B Followed by PM
@NarendraModi
https://twitter.com/MahaveerM_/status/1214823105169780737https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/MahaveerM_/status/12148231051697807378613579.1K
@manishkapadiya
Manish KapadiyaSenate Member #VNSGU
IT Cell
@BJP4Gujarat

Man.Committee
@SGCCI

Ex President #BJYMSurat
Convenor
@GPBS8
SG.
Youth Leader
Follow by Our PM Shree
@narendramodiManish Kapadiya
https://twitter.com/manishkapadiya/status/1214797452424826880https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/manishkapadiya/status/121479745242482688035778
@manji_ahirManji Ahir
कार्यकर्ता BJP । सदस्य - #MGNREGA काउन्सिल गुजरात सरकार। अध्यक्ष - नरेंद्र मोदी फेन क्लब - कच्छ । पंडित दीनदयाल उपाध्याय स्मुति न्यास-कच्छ। माधव फाउन्डेशनhttps://twitter.com/manji_ahir/status/1215070080561631232https://web.archive.org/web/20200111131628/https://twitter.com/manji_ahir/status/1215070080561631232277748
@manojsirsaManojDil se Bhartiya, theth deshi, moderate, seedhi baat, Sickulars dur rahe, Vande Matram, Tweets are personal, RTs not endorsementhttps://twitter.com/manojsirsa/status/1214882943879065600http://archive.is/6unYR134.7K
@modivanibharatSanyam Jain0% Attitude •||• 0% Ego •||• 100% NATIONALISM Proud Hindu Nationalist •||• India First •||• Blessed to be followed by PM
@narendramodi
Ji•|| “जो है सो है”
https://twitter.com/modivanibharat/status/1214834827578478592https://web.archive.org/web/20200111132845/https://twitter.com/modivanibharat/status/121483482757847859251123.7K
@monicanitin
MiNiचलो चले हम प्रगती पथ पर मोदी जी के साथ । Proud Indian blessed to be followed by PM #Modi.https://twitter.com/monicanitin/status/1214832319225159683https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/monicanitin/status/12148323192251596839905
@MukeshPathakjiMukesh Pathak#Beekeeper. #FabaHoney
#lopak #लोपक। मोदी युग का भाजपा सिपाही। Proud to be followed by PM Sri
@narendramodi
ji
https://twitter.com/MukeshPathakji/status/1214895555605745665http://archive.is/7FwNb652454
@NagpurKaRajiniSuperStar RajLife is a river let it flow accept the good,bad and the ugly. TamBram Born in MamajiRoxx's State, Brought up at Sanghi HQ, Worked In Mum,Hyd,Bangalore,Mad-Rashttps://twitter.com/NagpurKaRajini/status/1214797437908348928https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/NagpurKaRajini/status/1214797437908348928162610.3K
@NaIna0806
NainaIdealist ! Nationalist ! Writer !Political Junkie! Digital Marketing! Spirituality!
Opinionated!
Being Human ! Humbled to be followed by PM
https://twitter.com/NaIna0806/status/1214858003687464961http://archive.is/kntFk386264.4K
@nanditathhakur
नंदिता ठाकुरProud Nationalist Hindu ll Social Media Influencer and activist ll karyakarta @ Bharatiya Janta Partyhttps://twitter.com/nanditathhakur/status/1215149210233782272http://archive.is/eyIs9216206.8K
@NeenaRaiNeena RaiBookworm. Writer. Columnist. Artist. Student of Sanskrit. Yoga Enthusiast. Ex Model. Alumna IIMC. Followed by the world's greatest democratic leader.https://twitter.com/NeenaRai/status/1214888416388665345http://archive.is/S516z434017.1K
@nutan_jyot
Jyotsna VarmaA staunch Hindu proud of my rich culture,ardent supporter of PM.Blessed to be followed by respected ModiJi. Tweets echo my personal views. No DM please.https://twitter.com/nutan_jyot/status/1215192720374820865http://archive.is/7Z1kD2415.3K
@piyushfofandiPiyush FofandiPresident:Seafood Exporter Association of India, Gujarat RegionEx Zonal Head : BJP Samvad Cellhttps://twitter.com/piyushfofandi/status/1214828260103614464http://archive.is/OCEZr0510.8K
@PrinceArihanSavio RodriguesAuthor at Karmic Ishq, Founder & Editor-in-Chief at Goa Chronicle and Indian Expose, Political Strategist & Advisorhttps://twitter.com/PrinceArihan/status/1214885222556155905http://archive.is/yvLtX1K2.3K34.7K
@pujatiwariBJP
Puja TiwariMgmt IT Consultant/Ex-McKinsey/#TEDx Speaker/#NLP/जनसंघ परिवार/Blogger/Socio-Political Analyst/Panelisthttps://twitter.com/pujatiwariBJP/status/1214826337052983298http://archive.is/LkqGD524416.9K
@pundreekmishra
Pundreek Mishraजिला संयोजक आईटी, प्रतापगढ़ एवं सदस्य, डिस्ट्रिक्ट इ गवेर्नंस सोसाइटी,उ0प्र0 सरकारhttps://twitter.com/pundreekmishra/status/1214851103356903424http://archive.is/0epUH231341
@rajamakaBharat Sanghvi #ISupportCAAHonoured & Blessed to be Followed by PM Shri
@Narendramodi ji & BJP Party President & Home Mini Shri Amit Shah ji | A Proud NaMo supporter
https://twitter.com/rajamaka/status/1214819044806680576http://archive.is/hdI99293810.8K
@rajesh188Rajesh kumar R#ModiOnceMore
Member of NMY (Narendra Modi Youth) diehard fan of Narendra Bhai Damodardas Modi ji, i want to see Modi ji as PM in 2014.
https://twitter.com/rajesh188/status/1214945114142855168http://archive.is/HTIAc005784
@rajeshyadavRFRajesh YadavRF Engineer. Small & new inspirational ideas can bring a good & big CHANGE in you. Glad that PM @NarendraModi follows me.https://twitter.com/rajeshyadavRF/status/1214907809789136898http://archive.is/dM03I243462
@RatnaniHitesh
હિતેશ રતનાણીSoftware Engineer | Wanna be Chef| Proud Indian| ગરવી ગુજરાતી
•Views are strictly Personal•RTs NOT Endorsements•
Followed by PM Shri @narendramodi
https://twitter.com/RatnaniHitesh/status/1214824502565076992http://archive.is/tJFit011158
@RitaG74
RitaFormer presenter at All India Radio.
Nationalist, independent, proud army wife.
RTs are not endorsements.
https://twitter.com/RitaG74/status/1214891071097847808http://archive.is/3inLC446760.5K
@rulhania
Rakesh Raipuria|| हरियाणवीं || देशी || भोलेनाथ का भक्त ||https://twitter.com/rulhania/status/1214861503435640832http://archive.is/NyevE0110.2K
@SandeepN9NE
Sandeep GandotraCreator of a DREAM -
@N9NESTATIONERY
Serial Entrepreneur... still sailing! Every hiccough leaves me more learned and experienced!
https://twitter.com/SandeepN9NE/status/1214876817343033344http://archive.is/3uSKp014235
@shikhadeepsri
Deepshikha Srivastava#राष्ट्रवादी,जय भारत!जय हिंद! जिलाप्रभारी IT&SM महिलामोर्चा भाजपा गुरुग्राम
व अध्यक्षा महिला काव्य मंच गुरुग्राम
https://twitter.com/shikhadeepsri/status/1214903206267895810http://archive.is/4xxK6813520
@Shivam_h9संवैधानिक डकैतParallel Point of view, Alternative Reading, RT's aren't endorsement!https://twitter.com/Shivam_h9/status/1214833267788021760http://archive.is/wgcbQ31589715
@SiddharthSingh0Siddharth SinghBlessed to be followed by PM @narendramodi Support #BJP #RSS #ModiHaiTohMumkinHai #NewIndia #IndiaSupportsCAAhttps://twitter.com/SiddharthSingh0/status/1214877769047265281http://archive.is/aNvPg1123K
@Si_lv_erSilverकर्ता करे न कर सकै, शिव जो करैं सो होय । तीन लोक नौ खंड में, #महाकाल से बड़ा ना कोय ।। #जय_महाकालhttps://twitter.com/Si_lv_er/status/1215464218465488898http://archive.is/y5r9z5134629
@SMedia4ShanoVarunaNavy Veteran.Marine,Aero Engineer,IT consultant. Respect doctors,Soldiers,Policemenhttps://twitter.com/SMedia4/status/1214861472658055168http://archive.is/qrqZF136628
@sona2905
Daughter of a RefugeeEntrepreneur, Traveller, photographer, interested in history, architecture, studying ancient Indian scriptures.. write for http://myind.net & http://newsnviews.onlinehttps://twitter.com/sona2905/status/1214829528813461504http://archive.is/rt50m51023.3K
@SouleFacts
Oxomiya JiyoriHonoured to be followed by PM Narendra Modi ji. Nationalist from Assam, #IndiaFirst, hates traitor, Follow me at ur own risk. No personal question.https://twitter.com/SouleFacts/status/1214846410295631872http://archive.is/yMI5d304842.3K
@sri9011Good GovernanceTweets-my.personal views RTs/Quotes/Likes not endorsements. Support PM
@NarendraModi ji
Fan of @Boxerpanghal & @PVSindhu1
https://twitter.com/sri9011/status/1214858407846408193http://archive.is/beIHf1917.3K
@TheAshokSinghAshok SinghPolitically incorrect, #BJP member,After #Mission272 #Modi2019 next #Modi2024,supports @narendramodi & PUTIN🇷🇺,CAA,NRC ,Followed by resp PM of Indiahttps://twitter.com/TheAshokSingh/status/1215201532993515520http://archive.is/1x2wE888510.5K
@ThePoojaSingh1
Pooja SinghProud Bharathiya| Proud Hindu| |Social Worker | Rts are not endorsementshttps://twitter.com/ThePoojaSingh1/status/1214816364449320961http://archive.is/woFZt44776515.2K
@thevaibhavag
VAIBHAV Aggarwal#BJPLeader #Entrepreneur #6Sigma #Columnist #Spokesperson #MediaCeleb #Xavierian/ Follwed by PM | http://Fb.com/vaibhav.tiger / http://LinkedIn.com/in/vaibhavbbhttps://twitter.com/thevaibhavag/status/1215165870755938304http://archive.is/2hYsZ1154.7K
@umanathtripUma Nath Tripathiworking with startups | entrepreneur | digital media | skill to excellencehttps://twitter.com/umanathtrip/status/1214961868839604224http://archive.is/rViSl002236
@upma23UpmaProud Indian , Proud Hindu , RT is not Endorsement.
#MyIndia #NationFirst
https://twitter.com/upma23/status/1214834496501010438http://archive.is/UGCjM3670143.3K
@vikingthakkar
Vijay ThakkarSingle simple honest man; a happy curious soul. An apolitical Indian disillusioned wth #OutOnBail, #DivideAndFoolCongress. जोभी प्यार से मिला हम उसी के हो लिये।https://twitter.com/vikingthakkar/status/1214915187217596417http://archive.is/zdVXc114729
@vinkumadhokRadhikaOn Twitter only to be a part of Modi army who wants him back as PM for 2019. My PM Modi following me on Twitter is my biggest achievement so far.https://twitter.com/vinkumadhok/status/1214855094224580608http://archive.is/pxfMB238631

Liberal voices critical of the ruling party are frequently targeted by the supporters of the BJP on various social media platforms. This takes different forms like online abuse, misinformation campaigns and calls for a mass boycott of products. In the past, Alt News has documented such targetted online attacks. Similarly, the spread of misinformation about ‘Chhapaak’, aimed at sabotaging its commercial prospects was triggered by actor Deepika Padukone’s support to JNU. In this case, Alt News found a disturbing pattern – a large number of individuals who indulged in spreading misinformation were followed by PM Modi on Twitter. In 2017, Alt News published a report, documenting the toxic online behaviour of accounts followed by the Prime Minister. Many of them indulge in online abuse and often spread misinformation of communal nature, targeting political opponents. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister continues to follow them despite this being brought to his attention.

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About the Author

🙏 Blessed to have worked as a fact-checking journalist from November 2019 to February 2023.