Allegations of BJP IT Cell's 'Shaming Kerala' Campaigns Persist into 2025

A social media user, Rishi 🗽🌐🔰🏙, recently voiced strong criticism regarding what they described as the continued "shaming Kerala" campaign allegedly pursued by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT Cell. The tweet, posted on July 5, 2025, stated, > "No, it's fucking not. Jeez why is this shaming Kerala thing still being pursued by BJP IT Cell even in 2025?" highlighting ongoing concerns about negative narratives targeting the southern Indian state.

The BJP IT Cell, a specialized department of the ruling party, has frequently faced allegations of spreading misinformation and popularizing stereotypical narratives. In the context of Kerala, critics point to instances such as the controversy surrounding the film "The Kerala Story," which was screened by state-run Doordarshan and widely seen as extrapolating that a large number of women from the state were being coerced into joining extremist groups. Such portrayals contribute to the perception of a deliberate "shaming" agenda.

The BJP has been actively working to expand its political footprint in Kerala, a state where the United Democratic Front (UDF) and Left Democratic Front (LDF) have historically dominated. With a significant Christian and Muslim population, the state's demography presents unique challenges for the BJP. Despite these hurdles, the party has made efforts to woo minority communities, and its vote share has seen an increase in recent elections, including a notable victory in the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency in 2024.

Political analysts suggest that while the BJP's approach in Kerala is often more subtle than in other regions, divisive narratives have emerged. These campaigns are frequently challenged by fact-checking and counter-narratives within Kerala's politically conscious society. Conversely, the BJP has also accused opposition parties, including the Congress, of spreading false information and engaging in similar "false campaigns" against its leaders and policies.

The persistent nature of these alleged "shaming" campaigns, as highlighted by the recent tweet, underscores the ongoing political battle for influence and narrative control in Kerala. The discourse reflects broader tensions between regional identities and national political strategies, with social media serving as a key battleground for shaping public perception.