A publication spotted - The Virtual Hindu Rashtra by Rohit Chopra

The Virtual Hindu Rashtra

Saffron Nationalism and New Media

Rohit Chopra 2019-05-06

₹ 399.00

Extent: 240 pages

Summary

From websites devoted to battling a ‘Left-liberal’ media ecosystem to the formidable internet army of Hindu Right volunteers, from online narratives of Hindu valour to Narendra Modi’s impeccably-managed social media presence, new media is an integral part of present-day Hindu nationalism. The Virtual Hindu Rashtra examines the relationship of Hindu nationalism and new media across a range of internet spaces, including Twitter trends in support of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s government policies, Facebook pages dedicated to the cultural project of establishing a Hindu state, and WhatsApp groups circulating jokes about Modi’s critics. Situating online Hindu nationalism in a historical context, this book analyses the movement with respect to national and global political trends, such as the rise of authoritarian political personalities worldwide and the phenomenon of fake news. The book concludes with a reflection on the implications of the relationship of Hindu nationalism and new media for democracy in India.

About the Author

Rohit Chopra is associate professor of communication at Santa Clara University, California. His research centres on global media, including new media, and cultural identity.

https://harpercollins.co.in/book/the-virtual-hindu-rashtra/