Every political party these days has its own social media wing to promote the party’s viewpoint and counter rival parties and leaders.
Some political leaders, including MLAs and ministers, also maintain independent social media handles, though these are usually used to highlight their achievements and express their views.
There is another category of hardcore political supporters who have no direct connection with any party. While continuing with their professions or jobs, they actively express political opinions online, supporting the parties and leaders they admire while attacking those they oppose.
Then there is a more extreme category of social media activists whose politics is heavily influenced by caste loyalties. Their online activity often goes beyond political criticism and descends into vulgar, abusive and personal attacks against rival leaders and even their family members.
Such behaviour can hardly be described as ordinary political support. In many cases, these activists receive no direct political or financial benefit from the parties or leaders they defend. Yet they continue to engage in aggressive online battles, apparently driven by intense personal and political identification.
Take the case of Punch Prabhakar, a Telugu NRI known for his strong support for YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. He frequently releases videos attacking Telugu Desam Party leaders, including Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Nara Lokesh, as well as Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
His videos, often presented as “punch dialogues,” have drawn criticism for their abusive language. Several police cases have reportedly been registered against him in Andhra Pradesh following complaints over his social media comments.
Another example often cited in political circles is NRI activist Swathi Reddy, who has been associated with social media names such as Swetha Kota or Swathi Chowdary. She is known as a strong supporter of the TDP and frequently posts sharp, aggressive and satirical content targeting YSRCP leaders, including Jagan Mohan Reddy.
YSRCP supporters have repeatedly accused her of crossing the limits of political criticism through provocative and personal comments. She has also reportedly faced cases in Andhra Pradesh over some of her social media posts.
The latest controversy involves Jana Sena supporter Prasad Chigilisetty, who has been known for aggressive attacks on political rivals, including YSRCP leaders.
However, he also targeted TDP leaders despite Jana Sena being an alliance partner of the TDP in Andhra Pradesh. His earlier remarks involving Chandrababu Naidu, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Nara Lokesh and Nara Brahmani angered TDP social media activists.
The backlash became so strong that after Chigilisetty was appointed as an APNRT Texas coordinator, objections from alliance supporters reportedly led to his appointment being kept in abeyance.
The larger point is that extreme and abusive social media behaviour is not confined to one political party or one caste group. It can be found across political camps.
Political loyalty is natural in a democracy, but when it turns into personal abuse, caste hostility and attacks on family members, it damages political discourse rather than strengthening it.
The real problem, therefore, is not any particular caste or party. It is the growing culture of toxic political activism on social media.
