MOHAN J DUTTA / NRI AFFAIRS
The far-right’s targeting of academics has gained exponential momentum with the rise of authoritarian populism. From fascist Hindutva politics to white supremacy to far-right Zionism, the targeting of academics through disinformation-based hate campaigns drives both political markets and profits.
These campaigns, building up and amplifying conspiracy theories, are largely funded by dark money, and mobilized through astroturfs, think tanks, and media influencers (digital).
The power of the disinformation campaigns is held up by the networked structure, generating swarms, mobilizing email campaigns and complaints targeting academics. Such swarm-based campaigns are accompanied by wild conspiracy theories, propaganda messages inciting violence, death threats and rape threats.
Having experienced the targeted attacks of the far right across the three key drivers of disinformation and hate, Hindutva, white supremacy, and far-right Zionism, I am struck by the convergence of the strategies deployed by the far-right disinformation infrastructure, interfacing with each other and amplifying the hate.
First consider the messaging structure of disinformation and hate.
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