BJP leaders step up Instagram activity after PM's call for digital outreach

BJP leaders have stepped up their activity on Instagram following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to Cabinet colleagues to engage more actively with young people through the platform, with the party using reels and videos to push its messaging on the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and examination reforms.

Modi has led the digital push in recent days, posting a series of selfie-style videos thanking young people for their response and suggestions on examination reforms.

The heightened activity comes amid student protests over the NEET-UG paper leak issue, which have highlighted the growing role of social media, particularly Instagram, in political messaging among the youth.

The BJP's official Instagram account, which has around 9.5 million followers, has recently posted reels on examination paper leaks and the government's proposed amendments to the anti-paper leak law. The posts have also accused the Opposition of disrupting parliamentary proceedings and said the legislation is aimed at curbing paper leaks and protecting students.

Several Union ministers and BJP leaders have also increased their Instagram activity.

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi has used the platform to highlight the government's response to the NEET controversy and said the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, provides for 10 years' imprisonment and heavy fines for those involved in examination malpractice.

Union Minister of State for PMO Jitendra Singh has posted multiple videos on the introduction of the Bill to amend the anti-paper leak law, while urging students to remain patient and asserting that the government was open to discussions.

Singh's Instagram activity has increased to multiple posts a day over the past week, compared with an average of four to five posts a week earlier, according to an analysis of his recent activity.

Former BJP president and Union Minister J P Nadda has also started posting several videos a day, after relatively limited activity on the platform. His recent posts include videos highlighting meetings with representatives of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on the NEET issue.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has posted videos centred on the anti-paper leak Bill and excerpts from his parliamentary speeches, describing examination paper leaks as a serious national issue and urging political parties to support the legislation.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has posted a video highlighting the government's commitment to ensuring justice for students and bringing those responsible for examination paper leaks to justice through fast-track courts.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal has similarly used Instagram to highlight measures to tackle paper leaks, including fast-track courts, and urged the Opposition to participate in parliamentary discussions.

Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi has focused on alleged examination and recruitment paper leaks in Jharkhand, calling for a CBI inquiry into the recruitment process.

BJP IT department head Amit Malviya has also been active on the platform during the protests. He has questioned the nature of some of the slogans and demands raised during the agitation and alleged that the movement had moved beyond the concerns of students.

Malviya has also questioned what he described as different standards in the political response to alleged paper leaks in various states and claimed that several cases during the 2025-26 academic year were reported from states governed by the INDIA bloc.

The government on Monday introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha proposing stricter punishment of up to 10 years in jail and a fine of Rs 50 lakh for offences related to examination paper leaks.

The Bill was introduced by Jitendra Singh amid Opposition protests demanding a response from the government over the alleged police crackdown on students during the July 20 protest march to Parliament.

The increased Instagram activity follows Modi's recent call for ministers to use reels and other digital platforms to connect with younger audiences, as the government and BJP seek to shape the narrative around the NEET controversy and proposed examination reforms.