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54 INDIA TODAY JANUARY 14, 2013
POLITICS IN 140 CHARACTERSSocial media is where the battle for freedom of thought will be fought
At 4.58 p.m. on Christmas 2012, Delhistudent Shambhavi Saxena tweeted,All of us women were just brutally at-tacked by police at Parliament StreetPS. Ten minutes later, she tweeted,Woman constable beat me up, pulledmy hair and slammed me into a wall.Three days later, retired Lt-Gen H.S.Panag put out his mobile number onTwitter, sparking a movement wherehundreds are adding their numbers toa list, promising to drop everythingand help a woman in distress. Socialmedia is no longer a world. It is theworld, a matrix of intertwined mes-sages and resultant mayhem. Whatwill trend in this universe in 2013?
FIRSTPORT OFCALLFOR HELP
During the November 17 and 18 lock-down after Bal Thackerays death,
Mumbaikars turned to Twitter to findways back home. In the Octoberdengue outbreak in Delhi, peoplecalled for platelets on Twitter. In2013, Twitter will become the firstport of call for help of all kinds, fromreal help to advice/attention.
POSTATYOUR OWN PERIL
In October 2012, Union Finance MinisterP. Chidambarams son Karti filed a com-
plaint with Puducherry Police against
businessman Ravi Sreenivasan for cer-
tain tweets. On October30, the man was
arrested under Section 66A of the
Information Technology Act. He was re-
leased on bail the next day but the case
against him hasnt been dropped or
withdrawn. The constitutional validity of
the draconian Section 66A is now being
examined by the Supreme Court, which
is expected to make its views known this
month. The Government is already
under pressure to amend the law. In
2013, a lot more litigation for libel and
defamation will arise from what people
say on Twitter or Facebook.
CONFESSION CORNER
On December 29, media professional
Sonika Bhasin was deluged with sup-
port after she announced on Twitter
that she was about to expose her
friends father, a retired Army officer,
who had abused her when she was 13.
She wasnt the first to out a secret on
Twitter, but in 2013 it will become
much more common.
BIG BROTHER STEPS ITUP
Intelligence agencies have been busy
setting up listening posts on social
networking sites. As 2012 ended, there
was talk of a comprehensive social
media policy, which Union minister
Manish Tewari has been quick to say
is to engage, not regulate. This year,
expect much more Big Brother on
Twitter and Facebook.
ENTER THE POLITICIAN
On January 24, 2012, Prime MinisterManmohan Singh made his debut on
Twitter. On August 14, DMK chief M.
Karunanidhi, 89, followed suit. As the
country gets increasingly into election
mode, there will be less social media
snobbery from our netas.
MOST WANTED ON TWITTER10RAJINIKANTH
Even when absent,hes an
epic presence across
Twitter.Guess the joke if he
actuallysigns up.Yes,Twitter
joins Rajinikanth.
RAHULGANDHI
Fewpeople are jeered at more on Twitter
than him.Even Narendra Modi must feel
weird hitting out at someone who just
isn't there. If Rahul reallywants to rep-
resent youth power,he should sign up.
MUKESH AMBANI
Knowing Twitter,heres a sampling ofwhat hed be asked if he ever chooses
to sign up: Howdid you make all that
money? Whats with that house ofyours? Can we come watch a movie
on your iMaxscreen?
RAVI SHASTRI
His sometimes stupefy-
ing commentary makes
him trend often on Twitter.
He should sign up just so
theres somewhere people can
point their mirth.
KAREENA KAPOORHer slightly
snooty,hands-off approach would
worksupremely well on Twitter as well.
She could also convincehusband Saif,the only big
Khan who isnt on Twitter,
to sign up as well.ARUNDHATI ROY Her powerful
opinions make her tailor-made for
Twitter.Its only fair that shes there to
give it backto those who pour scorn on
her everytime she writes or speaks.
But yes,shell have to learn to restrict
herself to 140 characters.
RAM JETHMALANI
The ace lawyers pen-
chant for stirring things
up even within his own
party,his made-for-media firebomb-
ing,and a bit of a reputation defendingthugs like Manu Sharma will onlyen-
sure his follower count zooms.
BABA RAMDEV
Arunning feud on Twitter
has groups attack each
other in the yoga gurus
name.Why doesnt he de-
fend himself?
RAKESH JHUNJHUNWALA A
parody of the stockmarket mogul has
a committed fan base of over 55,000
followers.Could the real Mr Jhunjhun-
wala Twitter handle please stand up?
GEN V.K. SINGHAs the ex-Army
chief intensifies his stir
against UPA, the Generalwill find a readythrong of
supporters on Twitter.
SAURABH SINGH/www.indiatodayimages.com
By Shiv Aroor
FORECAST2013 SOCIALNETWORK
They are huge draws even inabsentia.Time to sign up.