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 handle | Twitter user name | Twitter Bio | Tweet | Archive Link | Rts | Likes | Followers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| @BJP4JnK | BJP J&K | https://twitter.com/BJP4JnK/status/1215256227715801090 | https://archive.is/hV4Kj | 68 | 207 | 49.9k | |
| @impreetsbakshi | Impreet Singh Bakshi ਇਮਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਸਿੰਘ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੀ | National Secretary @BJYM Incharge of @bjym4chd | https://twitter.com/impreetsbakshi/status/1214913352180236288 | https://archive.is/ohldL | 3 | 15 | 9k |
| @jawaharyadavbjp | Jawahar Yadav | Former Chairman Haryana Housing Board. Former OSD to Hon'ble C.M @mlkhattar प्रचार प्रमुख @BJP4Haryana | https://twitter.com/jawaharyadavbjp/status/1214896770553020416 | https://archive.is/IvlPP | 88 | 277 | 32.2k |
| @MakrandParanspe | Makarand R Paranjape | Director of the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla | https://twitter.com/MakrandParanspe/status/1214906496128933888 | https://archive.is/atcoJ | 66 | 215 | 56.6k |
| @TrulyMonica | Monica | Spokeperson, Ex journalist | https://twitter.com/TrulyMonica/status/1215165084940427264 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/TrulyMonica/status/1215165084940427264 | 14 | 65 | 30k |
| @piyushfofandi | Piyush Fofandi | President : Seafood Exporter Association of India. Gujarat Region. Ex Zonal Head : BJP Samvad Cell, | https://twitter.com/piyushfofandi/status/1214790744289923072 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/piyushfofandi/status/1214790744289923072 | 5 | 9 | 10.9k |
| @prasannavishy | Prasanna Viswanathan | CEO Swarajya Magazine | https://twitter.com/prasannavishy/status/1214872210239700993 | https://archive.is/CBbg4 | 293 | 491 | 105.3k |
| @Priyankabjym | Priyanka Sharma | BYJM BJP | https://twitter.com/Priyankabjym/status/1214864121637654531 | http://archive.is/my1Mh | 72 | 207 | 11k |
| @RitaG74 | Rita🇮🇳 | Former presenter at All India Radio | https://twitter.com/RitaG74/status/1214891071097847808 | https://archive.is/3inLC | 44 | 67 | 60.5k |
| @satishmaisuriya | Satish Maisuriya🇮🇳 | Vice President Of Bhartiy Janta Party Yuva Morcho - Surat City | https://twitter.com/satishmaisuriya/status/1214921365540786176 | https://archive.is/4PMAu | 2 | 1 | 3.5k |
| @ShefVaidya | Shefali Vaidya | Author, Satirist, Speaker. Fellow-Ananta Leadership Program, Convenor-Indic Academy. Love Travel, Temples And Textiles. Mum to triplets. Indian. Hindu. Woman | https://twitter.com/ShefVaidya/status/1214865580198514691 | https://archive.is/unZHt | 6.26 | 14k | 457k |
| @Swamy39 | Subramanian Swamy | Rajya Sabha MP, Fmr. Union Cabinet Minister, Harvard Ph.D in Economics; Professor, BJP National Exec. member, I give as good as I get | https://twitter.com/Swamy39/status/1214878673150459904 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/Swamy39/status/1214878673150459904 | 21.4k | 60.3k | 8.4M |
| @VikashPreetam | Vikash Preetam Sinha | Co Incharge -National Publicity Literature Dept @BJP4India , Advocate @Supreme Court | https://twitter.com/VikashPreetam/status/1214875671186423809 | https://archive.is/UIyTN | 206 | 445 | 17.2k |
| @01Karn | Karn | Blogger~Nation 1st~Photography/Guitar lover~Engineer~RW~Bihari~Folk Artist(Mithila Painting)~Followed by PM Modi & HM Amit Shah~Team Epostmortem | https://twitter.com/01Karn/status/1214955963859513344 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/01Karn/status/1214955963859513344 | 1 | 1 | 13k |
| @AbhishBanerj | Abhishek | Asst Prof (Math),IISc Bangalore.Views personal,Blog https://bit.ly/2FsGXvk/ Columns @MyNation @Opindia_com | https://twitter.com/AbhishBanerj/status/1214856015105015809 | https://web.archive.org/web/20200111134027/https://twitter.com/AbhishBanerj/status/1214856015105015809 | 164 | 396 | 23k |
| @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/1214847106990501890 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/AjaySengar_/status/1214847106990501890 | 601 | 1.1k | 60.9k |
| @Amitguj281983 | Amit Gujarathi | Doctor/Medical teacher/ #NaMo for PM @BJP4India #ModiDobara #AbkiBaPhirseModiSarkar #NewIndia. blessed to be followed by our PM @narendramodi | https://twitter.com/Amitguj281983/status/1214850567467462658 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/Amitguj281983/status/1214850567467462658 | 0 | 1 | 1772 |
| @archu243 | Archie | Proud Indian | Hyper Nationalist | Sapiosexual | Honoured to be followed by NaMo | https://twitter.com/archu243/status/1214937219124858883 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/archu243/status/1214937219124858883 | 26 | 55 | 24.8K |
| @AskTamal | Tamal Das | Proud to be followed by Shri @NarendraModi Support #CAA #NRC #UCC, Population Policy, River Linking Projects, Ram Mandir | https://twitter.com/AskTamal/status/1214870095618424834 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/AskTamal/status/1214870095618424834 | 0 | 2 | 4831 |
| @athavale_abhi | Abhi Athavale | Proud 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/1214883993436344321 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/athavale_abhi/status/1214883993436344321 | 0 | 1 | 4142 |
| @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/1214859541558386688 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/bhawana_pal/status/1214859541558386688 | 1 | 5996 | |
| @binugazi | binugazi NAMO in २०१९ | President 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/1214881122770804737 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/binugazi/status/1214881122770804737 | 2224 | ||
| @chintanvedant | #साहेब | Truth speaker , Follow for daily motivation , success story | https://twitter.com/chintanvedant/status/1214849309876686848 | https://web.archive.org/save/https:/twitter.com/chintanvedant/status/1214849309876686848 | 7 | 8 | 16.9K |
| @Dev_Jurix | ॐDevendra卐Sharmaॐ | Advocate, against Colonial Institutions, Ex-Nat.Gen.Secretary BJMM, BJP. Honoured to be followed by Sh.Modiji | https://twitter.com/Dev_Jurix/status/1214890271474741254 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/Dev_Jurix/status/1214890271474741254 | 3 | 7 | 4343 |
| @Deveshvari | Esha Agerwala | हवा 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/1214870232830894080 | https://web.archive.org/save/https:/twitter.com/Deveshvari/status/1214870232830894080 | 1 | 2 | 9886 |
| @Dishasatra | Sabudana khichadi | Stag entry. Eyebrow obsessed. Nutrition Counsellor. Fashion aficionado. | https://twitter.com/Dishasatra/status/1214874057419550720 | http://archive.is/X2nyM | 79 | 222 | 30.6K |
| @DrGPradhan | #GauravPradhan | Comments w/o Prejudice #DataScience, #DigitalTransformation, #SMAC, Cyber Warfare, Global Top 100CIO, Gartner Top10 CIO, Social Entrepreneur, Founder @GPFLive | https://twitter.com/DrGPradhan/status/1214807564388405250 | http://archive.is/8v2mW | 6.5K | 11.7K | 191.7k |
| @DrSRaghavachari | Dr. Suchitra Raghavachari | Public policy, Science-Technology, economy, education -Nature, arts, sports -Medical practitioner -'Ekam sat vipra bhahuda vadanthi' -'Sarve bhavanthu sukinah' | https://twitter.com/DrSRaghavachari/status/1214864153317216257 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/DrSRaghavachari/status/1214864153317216257 | - | - | 2058 |
| @erbmjha | BALA | Concerned with something non-essential, buffoon & writer. I utter mocking or scoffing words. | https://twitter.com/erbmjha/status/1214844527485177856 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/erbmjha/status/1214844527485177856 | 1.3K | 2.5K | 46.5K |
| @ExSecular | #SupportCAA | Distributer of Azaadi | https://twitter.com/ExSecular/status/1214839007617486849 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/ExSecular/status/1214839007617486849 | 280 | 565 | 77.2K |
| Gautam Tanwar | Gautam Tanwar | | Nationalist🇮🇳 | Swayamsevak| Social Activist | Blessed To Be Followed By PM @narendramodi Ji | Dist. In charge (Social Media) BJP IT Department, Pali | https://twitter.com/GautamTanwar_/status/1214908716622811136 | http://archive.is/7cyr6 | 4 | 17 | 6863 |
| @HDL_Global | Hindu Defense League | Global Handle of #HDL , Managed by @ihvinod | https://twitter.com/HDL_Global/status/1214893493350305792 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/HDL_Global/status/1214893493350305792 | 8 | 28 | 54.5K |
| @iam_manojgoenka | Manoj Goenka | Hardcore 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/1215232016397955072 | https://web.archive.org/save/https:/twitter.com/iam_manojgoenka/status/1215232016397955072 | - | 2 | 7054 |
| @iambmane | Bhavesh S Mane | Social Media Strategist ● Featured in @TOIIndiaNews @ThePuneMirror ● Headed SM of Gujarat Election 2017 ● Proud Indian ● Followed by प्रधानसेवक @Narendramodi | https://twitter.com/iambmane/status/1214935648341245952 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/iambmane/status/1214935648341245952 | 29 | 35 | 13.2K |
| @iamVaridha | Varisha | {इस हैंडल पर पॉलिटिक्स , ह्यूमर और मेमे के साथ बकैती उपलब्ध करायी जाएगी} #CATFISH | https://twitter.com/iamVaridha/status/1214803959208038400 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/iamVaridha/status/1214803959208038400 | 325 | 895 | 9675 |
| @ihardikshah | Hardik Shah | // Social Media Activist Followed By PM @narendramodi ji // A Big Fan of Our National President @AmitShah // @bjp4gujarat @bjp4india | https://twitter.com/ihardikshah/status/1215145864211107840 | https://web.archive.org/save/https:/twitter.com/ihardikshah/status/1215145864211107840 | 5387 | ||
| @ihiteshbansal | Hitesh Bansal | Social Media | Media Monitoring | Reputation Management | Right Wing Enthusiast | Nature ❤️| Learner from Life | Followed by the Honorable PM @narendramodi ji | https://twitter.com/ihiteshbansal/status/1214818173645508608 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/ihiteshbansal/status/1214818173645508608 | 4 | 7 | 8900 |
| @iPrabhakarSingP | कूँवर प्रभाकर सिंह परिहार | Nationalist | Socialists | BJP | Software Engineer |Blessed by @narendramodi ji @AmitShah ji @girirajsinghbjp ji @KailashOnline ji @nstomar ji #IndiaSupportsCAA | https://twitter.com/iPrabhakarSingP/status/1214922115356315649 | https://web.archive.org/save/https:/twitter.com/iPrabhakarSingP/status/1214922115356315649 | 2 | 4 | 34.9K |
| @iSurjeetSharma | Surjeet 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/1214822996273192960 | http://archive.is/4qPqz | 39 | 31 | 2977 |
| @jeetensingh | Jeetendra Singh | स्वतंत्रता सेनानीयों का पुत्र और पौत्र। ✴️प्रधानमंत्री के फोल्लोविंग से सम्मानित हूं। ✴️प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी पर गर्व है। | https://twitter.com/jeetensingh/status/1214854256236195842 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/jeetensingh/status/1214854256236195842 | 277 | 450 | 80.8K |
| @jothishnair1010 | JOTHISH NAIR | Followed by #PrimeMinister @narendramodi Writer from the Green Metropolis #Trivandrum. Screen Play, Film Writer. Ancient/Political History. | https://twitter.com/jothishnair1010/status/1214877569763311617 | https://web.archive.org/web/20200111130946/https://twitter.com/jothishnair1010/status/1214877569763311617 | 6 | 3 | 10K |
| @krithikasivasw | krithika sivaswamy | a Hindu,Tamil, Indian Entrepreneur from Chennai! Carnatic music, Bharatanatyam, wildlife conservation freak. Well, honoured to be followed by Modiji | https://twitter.com/krithikasivasw/status/1214891464208990208 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/krithikasivasw/status/1214891464208990208 | 154 | 475 | 21.9K |
| @Kuldeep78328755 | Kuldeep Singh | Nationalist... followed by @narendramodi ji Rts not endorsement.. | https://twitter.com/Kuldeep78328755/status/1214832362107703297 | https://web.archive.org/web/20200111131042/https://twitter.com/Kuldeep78328755/status/1214832362107703297 | 2 | 693 | |
| @Lala_The_Don | Lä Lä | Correct me if i do any Sapling wrong. HMP | https://twitter.com/Lala_The_Don/status/1214895431194300416 | https://archive.is/vudob | 1.4k | 4.5k | 26.1K |
| @Life4India | अंकुश | A Proud Bharatiya, RSS, Himachali, किसान पुत्र, PM Shri Narendra Modi Followed Me, Tweets are personal Views, RT≠ endorsement, Please contribute | https://twitter.com/Life4India/status/1215014952093634560 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/Life4India/status/1215014952093634560 | 2 | 1 | 7103 |
| @LkChahar | Lokesh Chahar | State Secretary Bjym Rajasthan. Member Of Telephone Advisory Committee, Govt Of India. Honoured To Be Followed By PM Shri Narendra Modi | https://twitter.com/LkChahar/status/1214833106177404928 | https://web.archive.org/web/20200111131256/https://twitter.com/LkChahar/status/1214833106177404928 | 2 | 5 | 9428 |
| @MahaveerM_ | Mahaveer Mehta | Proud 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/1214823105169780737 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/MahaveerM_/status/1214823105169780737 | 86 | 135 | 79.1K |
| @manishkapadiya | Manish Kapadiya | Senate 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/1214797452424826880 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/manishkapadiya/status/1214797452424826880 | 3 | 5778 | |
| @manji_ahir | Manji Ahir | कार्यकर्ता BJP । सदस्य - #MGNREGA काउन्सिल गुजरात सरकार। अध्यक्ष - नरेंद्र मोदी फेन क्लब - कच्छ । पंडित दीनदयाल उपाध्याय स्मुति न्यास-कच्छ। माधव फाउन्डेशन | https://twitter.com/manji_ahir/status/1215070080561631232 | https://web.archive.org/web/20200111131628/https://twitter.com/manji_ahir/status/1215070080561631232 | 2 | 7 | 7748 |
| @manojsirsa | Manoj | Dil se Bhartiya, theth deshi, moderate, seedhi baat, Sickulars dur rahe, Vande Matram, Tweets are personal, RTs not endorsement | https://twitter.com/manojsirsa/status/1214882943879065600 | http://archive.is/6unYR | 1 | 34.7K | |
| @modivanibharat | Sanyam Jain | 0% 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/1214834827578478592 | https://web.archive.org/web/20200111132845/https://twitter.com/modivanibharat/status/1214834827578478592 | 5 | 11 | 23.7K |
| @monicanitin | MiNi | चलो चले हम प्रगती पथ पर मोदी जी के साथ । Proud Indian blessed to be followed by PM #Modi. | https://twitter.com/monicanitin/status/1214832319225159683 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/monicanitin/status/1214832319225159683 | 9905 | ||
| @MukeshPathakji | Mukesh Pathak | #Beekeeper. #FabaHoney #lopak #लोपक। मोदी युग का भाजपा सिपाही। Proud to be followed by PM Sri @narendramodi ji | https://twitter.com/MukeshPathakji/status/1214895555605745665 | http://archive.is/7FwNb | 6 | 5 | 2454 |
| @NagpurKaRajini | SuperStar Raj | Life 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-Ras | https://twitter.com/NagpurKaRajini/status/1214797437908348928 | https://web.archive.org/save/https://twitter.com/NagpurKaRajini/status/1214797437908348928 | 16 | 26 | 10.3K |
| @NaIna0806 | Naina | Idealist ! Nationalist ! Writer !Political Junkie! Digital Marketing! Spirituality! Opinionated! Being Human ! Humbled to be followed by PM | https://twitter.com/NaIna0806/status/1214858003687464961 | http://archive.is/kntFk | 38 | 62 | 64.4K |
| @nanditathhakur | नंदिता ठाकुर | Proud Nationalist Hindu ll Social Media Influencer and activist ll karyakarta @ Bharatiya Janta Party | https://twitter.com/nanditathhakur/status/1215149210233782272 | http://archive.is/eyIs9 | 2 | 16 | 206.8K |
| @NeenaRai | Neena Rai | Bookworm. 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/1214888416388665345 | http://archive.is/S516z | 43 | 40 | 17.1K |
| @nutan_jyot | Jyotsna Varma | A 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/1215192720374820865 | http://archive.is/7Z1kD | 2 | 4 | 15.3K |
| @piyushfofandi | Piyush Fofandi | President:Seafood Exporter Association of India, Gujarat RegionEx Zonal Head : BJP Samvad Cell | https://twitter.com/piyushfofandi/status/1214828260103614464 | http://archive.is/OCEZr | 0 | 5 | 10.8K |
| @PrinceArihan | Savio Rodrigues | Author at Karmic Ishq, Founder & Editor-in-Chief at Goa Chronicle and Indian Expose, Political Strategist & Advisor | https://twitter.com/PrinceArihan/status/1214885222556155905 | http://archive.is/yvLtX | 1K | 2.3K | 34.7K |
| @pujatiwariBJP | Puja Tiwari | Mgmt IT Consultant/Ex-McKinsey/#TEDx Speaker/#NLP/जनसंघ परिवार/Blogger/Socio-Political Analyst/Panelist | https://twitter.com/pujatiwariBJP/status/1214826337052983298 | http://archive.is/LkqGD | 52 | 44 | 16.9K |
| @pundreekmishra | Pundreek Mishra | जिला संयोजक आईटी, प्रतापगढ़ एवं सदस्य, डिस्ट्रिक्ट इ गवेर्नंस सोसाइटी,उ0प्र0 सरकार | https://twitter.com/pundreekmishra/status/1214851103356903424 | http://archive.is/0epUH | 2 | 3 | 1341 |
| @rajamaka | Bharat Sanghvi #ISupportCAA | Honoured & 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/1214819044806680576 | http://archive.is/hdI99 | 29 | 38 | 10.8K |
| @rajesh188 | Rajesh 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/1214945114142855168 | http://archive.is/HTIAc | 0 | 0 | 5784 |
| @rajeshyadavRF | Rajesh Yadav | RF Engineer. Small & new inspirational ideas can bring a good & big CHANGE in you. Glad that PM @NarendraModi follows me. | https://twitter.com/rajeshyadavRF/status/1214907809789136898 | http://archive.is/dM03I | 2 | 4 | 3462 |
| @RatnaniHitesh | હિતેશ રતનાણી | Software 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/1214824502565076992 | http://archive.is/tJFit | 0 | 1 | 1158 |
| @RitaG74 | Rita | Former presenter at All India Radio. Nationalist, independent, proud army wife. RTs are not endorsements. | https://twitter.com/RitaG74/status/1214891071097847808 | http://archive.is/3inLC | 44 | 67 | 60.5K |
| @rulhania | Rakesh Raipuria | || हरियाणवीं || देशी || भोलेनाथ का भक्त || | https://twitter.com/rulhania/status/1214861503435640832 | http://archive.is/NyevE | 0 | 1 | 10.2K |
| @SandeepN9NE | Sandeep Gandotra | Creator of a DREAM - @N9NESTATIONERY Serial Entrepreneur... still sailing! Every hiccough leaves me more learned and experienced! | https://twitter.com/SandeepN9NE/status/1214876817343033344 | http://archive.is/3uSKp | 0 | 1 | 4235 |
| @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/1214903206267895810 | http://archive.is/4xxK6 | 8 | 13 | 520 |
| @Shivam_h9 | संवैधानिक डकैत | Parallel Point of view, Alternative Reading, RT's aren't endorsement! | https://twitter.com/Shivam_h9/status/1214833267788021760 | http://archive.is/wgcbQ | 31 | 58 | 9715 |
| @SiddharthSingh0 | Siddharth Singh | Blessed to be followed by PM @narendramodi Support #BJP #RSS #ModiHaiTohMumkinHai #NewIndia #IndiaSupportsCAA | https://twitter.com/SiddharthSingh0/status/1214877769047265281 | http://archive.is/aNvPg | 1 | 1 | 23K |
| @Si_lv_er | Silver | कर्ता करे न कर सकै, शिव जो करैं सो होय । तीन लोक नौ खंड में, #महाकाल से बड़ा ना कोय ।। #जय_महाकाल | https://twitter.com/Si_lv_er/status/1215464218465488898 | http://archive.is/y5r9z | 5 | 13 | 4629 |
| @SMedia4 | ShanoVaruna | Navy Veteran.Marine,Aero Engineer,IT consultant. Respect doctors,Soldiers,Policemen | https://twitter.com/SMedia4/status/1214861472658055168 | http://archive.is/qrqZF | 1 | 3 | 6628 |
| @sona2905 | Daughter of a Refugee | Entrepreneur, Traveller, photographer, interested in history, architecture, studying ancient Indian scriptures.. write for http://myind.net & http://newsnviews.online | https://twitter.com/sona2905/status/1214829528813461504 | http://archive.is/rt50m | 5 | 10 | 23.3K |
| @SouleFacts | Oxomiya Jiyori | Honoured 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/1214846410295631872 | http://archive.is/yMI5d | 30 | 48 | 42.3K |
| @sri9011 | Good Governance | Tweets-my.personal views RTs/Quotes/Likes not endorsements. Support PM @NarendraModi ji Fan of @Boxerpanghal & @PVSindhu1 | https://twitter.com/sri9011/status/1214858407846408193 | http://archive.is/beIHf | 1 | 9 | 17.3K |
| @TheAshokSingh | Ashok Singh | Politically incorrect, #BJP member,After #Mission272 #Modi2019 next #Modi2024,supports @narendramodi & PUTIN🇷🇺,CAA,NRC ,Followed by resp PM of India | https://twitter.com/TheAshokSingh/status/1215201532993515520 | http://archive.is/1x2wE | 88 | 85 | 10.5K |
| @ThePoojaSingh1 | Pooja Singh | Proud Bharathiya| Proud Hindu| |Social Worker | Rts are not endorsements | https://twitter.com/ThePoojaSingh1/status/1214816364449320961 | http://archive.is/woFZt | 447 | 765 | 15.2K |
| @thevaibhavag | VAIBHAV Aggarwal | #BJPLeader #Entrepreneur #6Sigma #Columnist #Spokesperson #MediaCeleb #Xavierian/ Follwed by PM | http://Fb.com/vaibhav.tiger / http://LinkedIn.com/in/vaibhavbb | https://twitter.com/thevaibhavag/status/1215165870755938304 | http://archive.is/2hYsZ | 1 | 1 | 54.7K |
| @umanathtrip | Uma Nath Tripathi | working with startups | entrepreneur | digital media | skill to excellence | https://twitter.com/umanathtrip/status/1214961868839604224 | http://archive.is/rViSl | 0 | 0 | 2236 |
| @upma23 | Upma | Proud Indian , Proud Hindu , RT is not Endorsement. #MyIndia #NationFirst | https://twitter.com/upma23/status/1214834496501010438 | http://archive.is/UGCjM | 36 | 70 | 143.3K |
| @vikingthakkar | Vijay Thakkar | Single 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/1214915187217596417 | http://archive.is/zdVXc | 1 | 1 | 4729 |
| @vinkumadhok | Radhika | On 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/1214855094224580608 | http://archive.is/pxfMB | 2 | 3 | 8631 |
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.
Independent journalism that speaks truth to power and is free of corporate and political control is possible only when people start contributing towards the same. Please consider donating towards this endeavour to fight fake news and misinformation.
