India prime minister is wooing the Gen Z while cracking down on them

AI summary world

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has begun engaging with Gen Z through social media, notably by using Instagram reels to address corruption concerns following student protests. This outreach marks a shift for the ruling BJP, which is attempting to modernize its communication strategy after being challenged by youth-led movements like the Cockroach Janta Party. Despite this charm offensive, the government has simultaneously cracked down on critics, with police booking thousands and digital rights groups reporting unprecedented social media censorship. Furthermore, activists and journalists who document state excesses face online abuse and intimidation, as seen in the case of a software engineer who was questioned by police after compiling videos of police violence.