War of the worlds is going to be digital; just a funny thing to say right! But at the pace the digital era traverse, wars could be kindled or extinguished, rules could be made or unmade and bans can be lifted or new bans can be laid just by clicks and shares on your social accounts. The incidents happening around the world are all manifestations of the above.
The recent Jallikattu revolution in Tamil Nadu is one such incident in particular. Jallikattu protests have been running around for several years but this year people got together with more spirit, especially the youngsters, to save this oldest identity of Tamil culture. How did all this happen so soon and so well? Who brought the people together and made their voices sound loud? What inspired the city-bred youngsters, who would’ve not witnessed even one live Jallikattu event, to join the protest? The answer to all this is quite simple: Social Media Platforms.
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This is another example to show humanity can be united through social channels to serve a purpose. Social channels saved and served people in 2015’s Chennai flood & 2016’s Vardha cyclone and this year with more magnitude saved Tamil culture.
The protest that started in Alanganallur inspired few activists to gather at marina to voice against Jallikattu ban. Their voice of protest was spread through Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels with the first caption #WedoJallikattu. The post went viral and soon several hashtags such as #ISupportJallikattu, #AmendPCA, #JusticeforJallikattu etc. were added as a support to bring back the sport.
News feeds with long statuses like the “importance of Jallikattu”, “save tamil culture”, “preserve our identity” became the trending news online. Facebook pages like Chennai Memes, Chennaites, Chennai Pasanga Da and Jallikattu veeravilayatu posted lot of information about Jallikattu and added more videos and posts on the live incidents of the protest on the beach. These pages attracted more audience and gathered followers overnight at the shore.
With very few news channels telecasting the actual news Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter groups became the main source of information. Jallikattu became the talk of the season everywhere. Not only people inside Tamilnadu but also Tamilans all over the world became a part of the peaceful protest favouring Jallikattu. Lot of incidents happened thereafter, but ultimately the massive protest forced to amend the law and restored the ancient Tamil tradition.
Many things happened before and during the Jallikattu protest, but the one thing to note is the rising popularity of social channel can do anything from bringing people together to changing laws.
Key Takeaways:
- Social media is the voice of the century that can inspire the minds and the hearts of the people to do anything
- It is the channel of live news, where any individual can be the reporter and showcase the real scenario
- Social medias have more audience than news broadcasts
- Social channels are a key medium that activates social engagement
- It is the man-made messenger to unite all kinds of people under one community
- Like several other man made realities social channels too have its own bane but as long as people are connected, truth has its own way of survival.