The evolving role of social media in the country has been a hot topic in the recent past. While its efficacies in the light of the technical aspects in establishing communications with blazing speed is unquestionable, there are countless instances that can be cited in one breadth which tantamount to gross violations of the established norms of a tolerant society. These brazen misuses have resulted in a series of turmoil across the length and breadth of the country which have consequently caused long-term after effects and have also come up as a new challenge to the administrations. The latest of the sort happened in Bengaluru last Tuesday night where just a social media post comprising a few lines has caused three deaths and several injuries. After this, the question as to when this deadly trend of using the social media for rabble rousing or for any anti-social purposes will end and when the netizens of the country, at least the habitual offenders of them  who  suffer from this ‘propensity’ will become mature and behave responsibly.

The Bengaluru incident has a marked similarity with its predecessors and the derogatory remarks directed towards a particular community ignited the trouble making it a wild fire in no time. The consequences are also the same – three deaths and injuries to at least 60 policemen trying to control the marauding crowd. It has also been reported that a police station has also been the target of the crowd in the melee and the extent of chaos, destruction to property and the feeling of insecurity among the citizens there can very well be regarded as a representational setting after the instantaneous flare-ups of this sort. No technical antidote has proved to be effective in containing these notorious attempts to disrupt normal life and property, except for the ultimate one, which is blackout of the entire internet facility of the troubled place. It’s a queer situation, as no preemptive measure can be taken to single out the prospective troublemaker and appealing to their conscience is the only option that remains. But that they are falling into deaf ears repeatedly is a hard reality of Digital India and the systematic approach followed in spreading rumours about Covid spread in the early months of the pandemic must be fresh in memories.

Since no solution is proving to be effective, the cyber laws and in the context the Indian Penal Code must be armed adequately to combat the techno-criminals who are exploiting these legal loopholes to the fullest. The trend of using social media negatively must be thwarted with iron hands, with all means necessary without wasting time.