Non-Violence in the Age of Online Outrage

By Nazmin Saikia

In an era where online platforms amplify every voice in milliseconds, the Gandhian ideal of ahimsa (non-violence) faces new tests. When insults, misinformation, and divisive rhetoric dominate social media feeds, what does non-violence mean in practice? How can Gandhi’s vision of truth, compassion, and respectful dialogue guide India’s public discourse online? This article explores the scale of the problem, legal frameworks, effects of non-violent communication, and what can be done.

The Online Crisis in India: Hate Speech, Misinformation & Abusive Content

Rising Incidents of Hate Speech

• In 2024, India recorded 1,165 verified incidents of in-person hate speech events, up 74.4% from 2023, according to the India Hate Lab (IHL) report. (SabrangIndia)
  
  

• Of those, 995 events were first shared or live-streamed via social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X. Facebook alone accounted for 495 videos. (India Hate Lab (IHL))
  
  

• Anti-minority hate speech, especially targeting Muslims, was the majority of these incidents. (India Hate Lab (IHL))
  
  

Increased Online Abuse & Discrimination

• A Microsoft study found that over recent years, hate speech online in India has roughly doubled; discrimination and abusive content have also increased. (The News Minute)
  
  

• According to a Statista/Ipsos survey between August 2022 and September 2023, about 85% of Indians reported that they often encountered hate speech online—the highest among 16 countries surveyed. (Statista)
  

Legal & Regulatory Framework

• Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 153A penalises promotion of enmity between groups on grounds of religion, race, etc. Section 295A deals with “deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings.” Section 505 prohibits statements promoting hatred or ill will between classes. (IASbaba)
  
  

• The Information Technology (IT) Act & Intermediary Guidelines require social media platforms to remove illegal content once notified, and have rules about offending content under certain sections. (IASbaba)
  
  

• The landmark Supreme Court case Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015) struck down Section 66A of the IT Act, which had been misused to curb speech, emphasising constitutional protections under Article 19(1)(a) (freedom of speech) and provisions under 19(2) allowing reasonable restrictions. (Wikipedia)
  

Gandhi’s Ahimsa & Non-Violent Communication: What Do They Mean Today?

Gandhi’s non-violence was not merely the absence of violence—it was a positive force: truthfulness, mutual respect, compassion, self-restraint. In the digital world:

• Non-violent communication (NVC) emphasises observing without judgment, expressing feelings and needs, and making requests instead of demands. It aims to reduce conflict and misunderstanding. While Indian research specific to social media NVC is still limited, studies in other settings show benefits:
  A study among nursing students in South Korea found that an NVC training program significantly reduced anger levels and improved empathy and communication effectiveness. (SAGE Journals)
  
  

• The concept of fear speech (closely related to hate speech but more subtle) shows how content that incites fear of a community—even without overt insults—can be particularly dangerous. These messages may appear “reasonable” and attract larger followings. (arXiv)
  

Effects of Online Outrage & Why Non-Violent Discourse Matters

• Polarisation & Social Division: When online discourse is filled with hate, misinformation, or abusive language, it inflames divisions along religion, caste, and region. Over time, trust breaks down.
  

• Psychological Harm & Self-Censorship: Targets of hate speech (minorities, vulnerable individuals) may suffer anxiety, depression, and fear of speaking up. Many users self-censor to avoid harassment.
  

• Erosion of Public Trust: When misinformation spreads unchecked, institutions (media, government, judiciary) lose credibility. People become susceptible to radicalisation and conspiracy theories.
  

• Impact on Democracy: Hate speech and misinformation can affect elections, policy debates, and public order. They distort public opinion, mislead the electorate, and foster animosity.
  

Non-violence and non-violent communication offer remedies by encouraging respect, fact-based discourse, empathy, and restraint.

Legal, Institutional & Platform Responses

Indian Legal Framework

• IPC Sections: As mentioned, Sections 153A, 295A, and 505 impose penalties for hate speech, religious insults, etc. These provisions are sometimes critiqued for vagueness. (IASbaba)
  

• IT Act & Intermediary Guidelines: Platforms are required to take down content violating legal norms within given time windows after being notified. Rules also require grievance redressal mechanisms. (IASbaba)
  

• Judicial Precedents: Shreya Singhal v. Union of India ensures that speech cannot be curbed unless it violates reasonable restrictions (public order, defamation, etc.). (Wikipedia)
  

Role of Platforms & Content Moderation

• According to the IHL report, of nearly 1,165 hate speech incidents in 2024, only a very small number of videos were removed. Facebook reportedly removed only three of those reported videos by a certain date; over 98% remained accessible as of the last checks. (India Hate Lab (IHL))
  
  

• Platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and X have community standards, but in practice, enforcement is patchy, especially when political speech is involved. (India Hate Lab (IHL))
  

Toward Non-Violent Online Discourse: What Can Be Done?

Drawing on Gandhi’s vision and modern research, here are steps/strategies that India (society, institutions, platforms, individuals) can adopt.

1. Digital Literacy & Empathy Education
   Teach media literacy—how to verify sources, understand bias, and recognise hate/fear speech. Incorporate non-violence and respectful communication in school curricula and youth programs.
   
   

2. Non-Violent Communication Training
   Offer workshops (online & offline) especially for youth, teachers, and community leaders that teach NVC skills: expressing needs without blame, active listening, and conflict resolution.
   
   

3. Platform Accountability & Better Moderation
   

• Platforms must invest in tools & human moderators proficient in Indian languages and contexts.
  

• Transparent policies about which content gets flagged, removed, or demonetised.
  

• Appeal & grievance mechanisms for content creators/targets.
  
  

4. Strengthening Legal Clarity & Enforcement
   

• Refine the definitions of hate speech, fear speech, defamation, etc., so laws are not vague.
  

• Fast-track cases involving online hate speech/dangerous speech.
  

• Ensure FIRs & investigations are possible even suo motu (on their own motion) when public order is threatened.
  
  

5. Cultural Change & Role of Influencers
   

• Public figures, social media influencers, and celebrities should lead by example—promoting kindness, truth, and respectful disagreement.
  

• Encourage content that builds connection rather than divides—storytelling, shared values.

6. Tools for Individuals
   

• Users can adopt digital hygiene: pause before posting, check veracity, and avoid forwarding unverified messages.
  

• Use platform reporting tools.
  

• Support initiatives that promote civil discourse (online forums, community groups).
  

Challenges and Tensions

• Balancing free speech with regulation is delicate. Overbroad laws risk chilling legitimate dissent. Courts, like in Shreya Singhal, have emphasised reasonable restriction. (Wikipedia)
  
  

• Enforcement disparities: marginalised communities often find less protection and more targeting. Power dynamics (political, social) affect who gets heard and who gets penalised.
  
  

• Cultural norms: online behaviour often reflects offline norms—existing prejudice, impunity, and social hierarchies. Digital platforms are new, but old biases persist.
  
  

• Technological limits: automated moderation struggles with context, irony, dialects, and multilingual speech. Misclassification or over-censoring can result.
  

Gandhi’s Ahimsa Reinterpreted: A New Framework for Online Conduct

To bring Gandhi’s non-violence into the digital age, certain principles can guide both policy and behaviour:

• Satya (Truth): Insist on sharing only verified information. Resist sensationalism.
  

• Asteya (Non-stealing): Do not steal others’ dignity, reputation, or peace through trolling, insults, or rumours.
  

• Ahimsa (Non-violence): Avoid language or actions that harm psychologically or socially; recognise the invisible violence of words.
  

• Brahmacharya (Self-restraint): Pause before posting; ask if what is said is necessary, kind, and true.
  

• Swaraj (Self-rule): Collective responsibility. It’s not just about regulation by law, but internal self-governance by citizens.
  

Conclusion

India’s digital evolution has brought both stunning connectivity and acute challenges in public discourse. The rise in hate speech, misinformation, and online abuse is not merely an issue of content—it’s a matter of how society sees itself and treats difference. Gandhi’s teachings offer much more than nostalgia; they provide actionable values in crisis: respect, truth, self-restraint, compassion.

Non-violence in speech is not weak—it is profoundly strong. It demands courage to speak truth, restraint to avoid insults, empathy to listen, and wisdom to recognise our shared humanity.

For India to fulfil its democratic promise, online spaces must not become battlegrounds of hatred. Instead, they must reflect non-violent communication, where every voice has dignity.

References

1. India Hate Lab (IHL). Social Media and Hate Speech in India, 2025. Key findings on hate speech events- in person and online, video-sharing platforms. (India Hate Lab (IHL))
   
   

2. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Crime in India 2022 report: 45% rise in hate speech and acts promoting enmity between groups under IPC Section 153A. (The Times of India)
   
   

3. Statista / Ipsos Survey (Aug 2022-Sep 2023): ~85% of Indians report often encountering hate speech online. (Statista)
   
   

4. Microsoft Report: Doubling of hate speech among Indian online users in recent years; increases in hoaxes, discrimination. (The News Minute)
   
   

5. “Effects of a Nonviolent Communication Program on Nursing Students,” Kim & Jo, 2022. The program reduced anger, increased empathy and communication efficacy. (SAGE Journals)
   
   

6. Legal statutes: IPC Sections 153A, 295A, 505; IT Act & Intermediary Guidelines. (IASbaba)
   
   

7. Supreme Court case Shreya Singhal v. Union of India (2015) on online speech and constitutional freedoms. (Wikipedia)