"Saar" syndrome, solidarity with White supremacists and a hit to reputation
How incessant disinformation campaigns and anti-Muslim hate amplified by Indian accounts have damaged the reputation of Indians online
In 2017, a social media training camp was organized in Pune, attended by around 140 RSS volunteers. During the workshop, participants were taught the nuances of managing platforms like Facebook, Twitter (now known as X), and WhatsApp. The training included searching URLs for information and uncovering past statements made by individuals, which is instrumental in “exposing” the shifting positions of prominent figures. Additionally, the volunteers were trained to become Wikipedia editors and use humor to counter criticism against the RSS on social media (Narayan, 2020, p. 262). It was essentially a troll camp.
Although the training was specifically for RSS volunteers, it offers rough insight into the strategies used in training the ‘IT’ cells of hyper-nationalist political parties and how these tactics have influenced online discourse. Today, people across the political spectrum emulate this approach. Still, none do so with the same intensity as nationalist Indians and members of the BJP IT cell. These individuals often maintain a nominal distance from the party, yet are swiftly supported by its leaders if they encounter any issues.
Over the years, Indians on the internet have become a significant source of disinformation and anti-Muslim hate online. Many are quick to insert themselves into racist and xenophobic discussions happening in various countries and readily adopt new “saar” (a colloquial derivative of the English word “sir,” used to encapsulate the subservient attitude some Indians historically displayed towards their white colonial masters. It reflects a blend of deference and submission rooted in colonial-era social dynamics) —often white figures who emerge as leading voices of racial movements. This dynamic is perplexing, as it often results in increased racism directed toward Indians online.
In mid-July, the Harehills suburb of Leeds, U.K, saw significant violence following a police response to a domestic disturbance, which involved children being removed by government agency workers. The situation escalated into a night of rioting, with attacks on police officers, vehicle arson, and widespread destruction.
During and after the riots, several accounts known for promoting Indian right-wing rhetoric emerged as key spreaders of Islamophobic misinformation. These accounts circulated false claims that blamed Muslims for the violence and fueled broader anti-Muslim sentiments. A notable example includes a tweet falsely accusing a recently elected councilor in Leeds of being a ‘Bangladeshi’ and ‘actively involved in the riots’. The councilor, Mothin Ali, was actually credited with protecting police officers and extinguishing a fire started by the rioters. Logically Facts have thoroughly documented the disinformation campaigns.
This is not an isolated incident in the U.K. Indian accounts also played a significant role during the violent communal clashes between Hindus and Muslims in Leicester in 2022, a city known for its diversity and multicultural heritage.
The violence in Leicester stands out as a prominent example of how India’s national politics have created divisions within the diaspora. A widely circulated social media clip showed hundreds of Hindu men, many wearing balaclavas, marching past a mosque while chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram,’ a Hindi phrase meaning ‘Glory to Lord Ram.’ This slogan, often used by the Hindu right-wing during communal violence and protests in India, was echoed by Hindutva-linked Twitter accounts during the Leicester unrest. These accounts amplified and legitimized the chant, portraying it as a rightful expression for Hindus (Dutta, Mohan J. 2024. ‘Digital Platforms, Hindutva, and Disinformation: Communicative Strategies and the Leicester Violence.’ Communication Monographs, April, 1–29. doi:10.1080/03637751.2024.2339799).
The violence in Leicester also saw Indian disinformation agents aligning with British far-right figures, including anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant white supremacist Tommy Robinson, who, unsurprisingly, has connections to Russia.
In July 2024, a tragic stabbing attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga session for children in Southport claimed the lives of three young girls, aged 6, 7, and 9. Eight other children and two adults were also injured. The accused was a minor, and due to U.K laws, little information about his identity was released. This lack of information fueled online speculation, leading to a surge of Islamophobic and anti-immigrant posts on social media.
Prominent figures who capitalized on and amplified anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiment included Andrew Tate, Tommy Robinson, Elon Musk, and the news website “Channel3Now,” which sought to monetize social media by aggregating crime news.
Tommy Robinson and Elon Musk emerged as the new “saars”.
Long before the two, Indian users had found “saar” in content creator Norbert Elekes, Dutch anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders (another figure with links to Russia), and in the country of Israel.
Numerous think pieces have explored the solidarity between Hindutva supremacists and Zionism, as well as the involvement of Indian accounts in spreading hateful anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian narratives. I do not wish to comment on that. However, this meme perhaps encapsulates the connection most effectively — it is awkward, ideologically incoherent, and solely motivated by its desire to alienate and dehumanize Muslims.
A sense of superiority and its cost…
Recently, after heavy rainfall in New Delhi, India’s capital, several areas were severely flooded. The water, polluted with animal waste, trash, and sewage from open drains, created a deplorable situation. In the midst of this, a political post surfaced from an account called “Hindutva Knight”—an account likely connected to users involved in doxing and harassing interfaith couples. The post read, “Trust me, this is not Bangladesh or Somalia. This is Kejriwal ruled Delhi.”
The post caught the attention of Somalis, leading to a three-day exchange between the two groups over which country had better infrastructure. I quietly observed the entire debate unfold.
Just last week, Indian accounts targeted a Nigerian feminist with trolling, abuse, and threats following her comments on a widely-publicized case involving the rape of an on-duty doctor in India.
Everything has its price — the relentless hate and trolling endorsed by Indians online have spawned a new form of racist hostility. Narratives like the one shown in the screenshot below have become increasingly common across social media. Hate begets hate, and when it's rooted in racism and othering, it inevitably turns against those who view themselves as "model minorities." It's not rocket science (which, at least, adheres to the laws of physics). Hate is driven by a singular force, and there's no assurance that it can be confined to just one group, as many desparately wish to believe.
It could be said that if trolling were an Olympic sport, Indian users would not only take the gold but also hold the world record.
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