The Ghost of “Scams” That Weren’t
The Bofors scandal, dating back to the 1980s, involved allegations of kickbacks in a defense deal. The 2G spectrum case of 2012 was painted as a massive telecom scam, with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) estimating a notional loss of ₹1.76 lakh crore. The CWG scam, also from the Congress-led UPA era, was portrayed as a case of gross mismanagement and corruption in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. These controversies dominated headlines, shaped public discourse, and became synonymous with Congress’s alleged corruption.Yet, the courts told a different story. In 2005, the Delhi High Court quashed charges in the Bofors case, citing lack of evidence. The 2G case, after years of scrutiny, saw all accused, including former Telecom Minister A. Raja, acquitted in 2017 by a special CBI court, which found no proof of corruption or financial loss. Similarly, the CWG case resulted in no major convictions, with allegations fizzling out under judicial review. Legally, these were not scams. But in the court of public opinion, the Congress remains guilty.
Why Perception Persists
Why do most Indians remain unaware of these judicial outcomes? The answer lies in the BJP’s masterful control of the narrative, powered by its IT cell and a vast network of supporters often referred to as the “Sanghi ecosystem.” This ecosystem—comprising social media warriors, WhatsApp groups, pliable news channels, and influencers—has perfected the art of perception management. Through memes, viral videos, and selective outrage, they have ensured that the word “scam” remains indelibly linked to Congress, regardless of facts.The BJP’s IT cell operates like a well-oiled machine, flooding digital spaces with content that reinforces negative stereotypes about Congress. X posts, for instance, frequently recycle old headlines about Bofors or 2G, conveniently omitting court verdicts. WhatsApp forwards amplify half-truths, while prime-time TV debates—often skewed in favor of the ruling party—keep the narrative alive. The sheer volume of this messaging drowns out any attempt to set the record straight.
Contrast this with the Congress’s response—or lack thereof. The party has struggled to counter this propaganda, lacking the organizational muscle or digital savvy to match the BJP’s outreach. If the roles were reversed, and the BJP faced similar allegations, it’s likely that their ecosystem would have ensured every Indian knew about the court’s exoneration. Street protests, viral campaigns, and hashtags would have dominated the discourse, turning judicial vindication into a public relations victory. The BJP’s numbers advantage—both in terms of supporters and resources—gives it an unmatched ability to shape perceptions.
The Post-Truth Era
This phenomenon reflects a deeper shift in Indian society: the rise of a post-truth era where emotions and narratives trump facts. In this landscape, the truth is malleable, shaped by whoever shouts the loudest or spends the most on digital campaigns. The Sanghi ecosystem thrives on this, leveraging its scale to create a reality where Congress is perpetually corrupt, and the BJP is the harbinger of a “New India.” The average Indian, bombarded with information and lacking the time or inclination to verify court judgments, accepts the dominant narrative.This isn’t just about political rivalry; it’s about the erosion of truth as a public good. When judicial verdicts are buried under a deluge of propaganda, and when perception becomes more powerful than evidence, democracy suffers. The Bofors, 2G, and CWG cases are not isolated incidents but symptoms of a larger malaise where facts are secondary to feelings.
The Way Forward
To counter this, the Congress and other opposition parties must invest in their own narrative-building machinery. They need to harness digital platforms, engage younger audiences, and simplify complex judicial outcomes into compelling stories. More importantly, civil society and the media must play a role in amplifying the truth, challenging propaganda with facts, and fostering a culture of critical thinking.India’s post-truth reality is a warning: when perception is everything, the truth becomes a mere footnote. The Bofors, 2G, and CWG sagas show how effectively a narrative can be weaponized. Unless countered with equal vigor, the Sanghi ecosystem’s loudness will continue to drown out the truth, leaving India in a haze of half-truths and manufactured outrage. In this New India, the battle for truth is as critical as ever—but it’s a battle the opposition is yet to fully join.
