When conspiracy theories seep into politics

There has been a surge in bizarre propositions and they are dominating the discourse on major issues

At a time when smaller parties in the State are jostling for political space and legitimacy, conspiracy theories are being peddled as part of the political discourse. For instance, during the jallikattu protests in early 2017, a section of the protesters, with all the earnestness that they could command, argued that there was a transnational corporate conspiracy to wipe out the ‘native breeds’ of cattle.

Recently, Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) leader Seeman appeared to suggest in a television interview that actor Rajinikanth was part of a “global group of conspirators” comprising former U.S. President Barrack Obama, former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the Pope, among others — all flashing the ‘Baba mudra.’

Why are such conspiracy theories being floated with conviction in Tamil Nadu? Karthick R.M., assistant professor, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Kolkata, says conspiracy theories are common in societies beset by political crises, in the absence of a coherent and effective narrative of intervention.

“In the current scenario, all parties that claim to be an alternative to the Dravidian majors are thoroughly fragmented, and are seeking an excuse for their failures by taking recourse to conspiracy theories,” he argues. Pointing out that some of these theories are quite funny, he says, “As Umberto Eco observed in his novel

Foucault’s Pendulum , one cannot predict when and how they might end up getting dangerous and even self-destructive.”

Dr. Ezhilan Naganathan, an activist campaigning against superstitions and social discrimination, says well-informed activists don’t indulge in propagating such unproven ideas as facts.

The WhatsApp angle

“The Leftists and the Periyarists don’t present an illogical opposition to corporate power. Many well-read activists have sharp, rational views on these issues,” says Mr. Ezhilan. He, however, blames the “WhatsApp forward-believing generation” for propagating unsubstantiated theories.

“But this is changing slowly. As we use social media more and more, I think we will also evolve into a society that understands how to absorb the information that is being shared. It is a passing cloud,” he opines.

Writer and professor Stalin Rajangam underlines that conspiracy theories often gain currency when they appeal to the ‘culture’ or ‘emotions’. “The success of such narratives often encourages politicians to use them again and again. But when it comes to real livelihood issues – as we have seen with the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant issue – only the State’s argument that the plant is needed for the development of the nation worked,” he points out.

NTK spokesperson Packiarajan says, “When the government doesn’t come clean on a project, people will start thinking about who the project benefits. Obviously, the wild, unproven conspiracies are bound to gain legitimacy.”

Conspiracy theories obfuscate real questions and criticisms that need to be put forward on a particular issue, says Dalit intellectual Punitha Pandian. “Rajinikanth should be questioned on his social commitment and ideology,” he says.

Mr. Pandian feels that the government’s role in floating some of these conspiracy theories and rumours so as to ensure that popular mass struggles fizzle out cannot be ruled out.