The NEET protests exposed how misinformation, foreign narratives, and propaganda shaped public discourse
New Delhi: NEET paper leak was a genuine issue that deserved to be addressed. There is absolutely no doubt about that. However, some incidents carried out in the name of student protests over the last few days have brought to mind a famous dialogue from Dhurandhar, in which the character portraying India’s NSA says: “Hindustan ka sabse bada dushman Hindustani hi hai. Pakistan toh doosre number pe hai.”
What is particularly alarming is the extent to which anti-India activities have surfaced under the guise of legitimate protest. During a press briefing on July 25, the Delhi Police stated that they had uncovered what they described as a coordinated misinformation campaign surrounding the ongoing Jantar Mantar protest. According to the police, fake claims about a protester’s death, doctored videos, and AI-generated deepfakes were circulated to inflame public sentiment. They further revealed that more than 400 social media accounts operating from Pakistan had been identified as actively spreading false narratives about the protest. Yet this raises a more uncomfortable question: who amplified these narratives within India? External propaganda can gain traction only when there are willing amplifiers at home. It is deeply disturbing that some individuals living in this country appeared eager to circulate unverified or false information that had the potential to malign India’s image and undermine public trust. Freedom of expression and the right to protest are essential pillars of democracy, but they cannot become a shield for the dissemination of misinformation or for narratives that ultimately serve hostile interests at the expense of the nation.
Another point we should remember is how Western and foreign narratives have shaped our minds. In his book Western Media Narratives on India, senior journalist Umesh Upadhyay quotes veteran Indian journalist S. Viswam in this context. Viswam observed: “Three quarters of the world population living in the Third World countries are dominated by the Western countries in regard to the global flow of communication. Since the flow is one way, unbalanced and compulsory, the dominance by the Western media of the developing countries turns out veritably to be a modern and sophisticated form of cultural imperialism.”
In the context of these so-called student protests, the role of sections of the foreign media in amplifying an anti-India or ‘Breaking India’ narrative cannot be overlooked. On 25 July, Reuters published a report under the headline, “India’s Instagram Gen Z dents Modi’s aura ahead of key state polls.” The very framing of this headline raises important questions. Rather than presenting a neutral account of student demonstrations, it appears to interpret the protests through the lens of electoral politics, portraying them as a sign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s declining appeal. Such narratives often go beyond reporting events; they shape international perceptions of India’s political landscape and reinforce preconceived narratives that seek to depict the country as politically unstable and deeply divided. Whether intentional or not, this style of reporting contributes to a discourse that is readily appropriated by those invested in projecting India in a negative light.
Even a glance at the Asia section of Al Jazeera reveals an intriguing pattern. At times, it appears as though the platform is more invested in India’s youth and domestic politics than many within the country itself. A headline such as “How India’s ‘Cockroach’ protesters shook the Modi government” is not merely an account of a protest; it carries a carefully framed narrative. Such language projects an image of the Indian government as politically fragile and easily destabilised before a global audience. Whether intentional or not, this style of reporting extends beyond journalism into perception-building, shaping international opinion through a lens that often amplifies political confrontation while reducing the complexities of India’s democratic processes.
The Guardian, for instance, observed: “The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) might have started out as an online joke, but – driven by millions of discontented young people in India – it has swiftly grown into one of the most unexpected challenges to the powerful rightwing government of Narendra Modi.” This characterisation is revealing. Rather than treating the issue merely as a student-led movement over an examination controversy, the report presents it as a broader political challenge to the Modi government.
Another striking example came on 20 July, when the Associated Press carried the headline: “India police use tear gas to stop march on Parliament by Cockroach movement supporters.” The report went on to describe the demonstration as “one of the most serious confrontations in the movement’s campaign against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.” Such framing does more than merely report an event—it places it within a political narrative that often reinforces preconceived perceptions about India. Time and again, influential international media outlets appear quick to amplify episodes that fit these narratives, while overlooking context or complexity. This pattern raises a legitimate question: are they reporting on India, or are they projecting a predetermined image of it whenever the opportunity arises?
The NEET paper leak was a genuine issue, and students had every democratic right to demand accountability and justice. Yet, the manner in which the issue was appropriated and amplified by hostile propaganda networks and sections of the foreign media should concern every Indian, regardless of political affiliation. These episodes serve as a reminder that external powers have often sought to shape narratives that weaken India’s global standing and undermine governments pursuing a strong nationalist agenda in pursuit of their own strategic interests. As citizens, we must remain vigilant, not only about our legitimate domestic concerns but also about the realities of global politics. A mature democracy must be capable of demanding accountability without becoming an instrument for those seeking to discredit the nation itself.
