The Truth About Snapchat and India's Intolerance

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Controversial Statement by Snapchat CEO
   1. Indian Reactions on Social Media
   2. The Serious Issue of Indian Mentality
3. Confirmation of News and Presence of Fake News
   1. Rise of Fake News in Indian Media
4. The Poverty and Inequality Issue in India
   1. India as a Poor Country
   2. Income Disparity and Wealth Distribution
5. Admitting and Addressing Problems
   1. Importance of Acknowledging Poverty
6. The Validity of Comments on India's Wealth
   1. Intolerance and Offense
   2. Celebrity Statements on Intolerance in India
7. Exploitation of Emotionally Manipulative Behavior
   1. Examples - Flipkart, Freedom251, and WhatsApp Forwards
   2. Political Parties' Manipulation of Nationalism
8. Campaigning Strategies Based on Nationalism
   1. Lack of Achievements and Manifesto
   2. Exploitation of Nationalistic Sentiments
9. Confusion and Lack of Awareness Among Supporters
   1. Boycotting Snapchat vs. Snapdeal
   2. Illiteracy and Lack of Understanding
10. Conclusion

The Controversial Statement by Snapchat CEO Sparks Outrage in India

In April 2017, the CEO of Snapchat allegedly made a statement denigrating India as a poor country and expressing his reluctance to expand the business in the country. This remark triggered an intense backlash from Indians on social media platforms, with people venting their outrage by verbally abusing the CEO and his girlfriend, as well as leaving negative ratings for Snapchat on Google Playstore and AppStore. While the controversy itself might not be a serious issue, it highlights a deeper problem concerning the mentality of Indians and their propensity towards intolerance and emotional gullibility.

Confirmation of News and Presence of Fake News

Before delving further into the issue, it is crucial to distinguish between facts and falsehoods. In today's era of proliferating fake news, it has become imperative to verify the authenticity of a news story. This holds true for the Snapchat controversy as well. Indian media, particularly "India Today," has been notorious for circulating fake news, making it necessary to separate truth from fiction. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the alleged statement made by the Snapchat CEO was indeed a fabrication, with Snapchat officially refuting any such remarks.

The Poverty and Inequality Issue in India

Regardless of the reality of the CEO's statement, the question arises whether his comment about India being a poor country was inherently wrong. India is home to around 180 million people living below the poverty line, surviving on less than 120 Rupees per day. The country also ranks as the Second most unequal nation in the world, with a glaring disparity between the rich and the poor. The top 1% of citizens control a staggering 60% of the wealth, exacerbating the already prevalent income inequality. Over time, this inequality has only worsened, as indicated by the accompanying graph.

Admitting and Addressing Problems

The first step towards finding a solution to any problem is acknowledging its existence. If one refuses to admit the presence of poverty, how can it ever be eradicated? Even if India were not a poor country, commenting on its socio-economic conditions should not be seen as invalid. Reacting with intolerance and offense at such views reflects a narrow mindset. Notably, prominent personalities like Amir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan have previously spoken about India's intolerance and how easily people get emotionally provoked under the influence of certain narratives. This controversy serves as a testament to their statements, exposing the emotionally manipulative behavior prevalent in society.

Exploitation of Emotionally Manipulative Behavior

Politicians, media outlets, and companies have repeatedly exploited the emotionally sensitive nature of the Indian population for their own benefit. One such example is Flipkart, which presents itself as an Indian company to gain an AdVantage over multinational competitor Amazon. However, the majority of Flipkart's shareholders and investors are foreigners, and the company is registered in Singapore. This deceptive strategy preys on the nationalist sentiments of Indian consumers. Similarly, the fraudulent company Freedom251 capitalized on Indian patriotism by selling Chinese-made smartphones as "Make In India" products, duping unsuspecting buyers.

This pattern extends to the realm of political parties as well, with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leading the way. BJP frequently plays the "anti-national" card on social media to project itself as a nationalist party. By capitalizing on the achievements of India and vilifying certain individuals, they manipulate the emotions of the populace. Consequently, blind followers, known as "Andh-Bhakts," fall into the trap and support these parties without critically analyzing their actions or understanding the true nature of the arguments.

Confusion and Lack of Awareness Among Supporters

The incident involving Snapchat sparked confusion among some supporters, epitomizing the lack of awareness and understanding among a segment of the population. Many mistakenly boycotted Snapdeal instead of Snapchat, demonstrating a flawed comprehension of the issue at HAND. Despite claiming literacy, a significant portion of the population fails to grasp the crux of debates or engage in critical thinking. This lack of awareness enables politicians and companies to exploit their nationalistic sentiments for personal gain.

In conclusion, the Snapchat controversy, regardless of its veracity, serves as a reminder of the prevailing Indian mentality and its susceptibility to intolerance and emotional manipulation. It becomes essential for individuals to develop a more rational and discerning approach, not only in addressing controversies but also in evaluating the actions of politicians and companies who Seek to exploit their nationalistic sentiments for personal gain. By fostering a more informed and analytic society, India can progress towards true development and equality.