Hashtag campaigns, #GetOutModi and #GetOutStalin, have been trending on social media.
Published Feb 22, 2025 | 6:05 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 22, 2025 | 6:05 PM
While some viewed these campaigns as organic public expressions of dissatisfaction, others felt that they were politically manufactured.
Synopsis: Hashtag campaigns against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin have been widely promoted on social media. Some feel that they are genuine expressions of public sentiments but many others are seeing them as manufactured by political parties.
Social media platforms like X have recently been flooded with two trending hashtags—#GetOutModi and #GetOutStalin—sparking widespread debate over their origins and implications.
While some viewed these trends as organic public expressions of dissatisfaction, others felt that they were politically manufactured to sway public sentiment.
Recently, Tamil Nadu has been at odds with the central government on various issues, particularly regarding language policies, education reforms, and financial allocations.
The latest flashpoint revolved around the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), a central education scheme aimed at improving school infrastructure and resources.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin had earlier written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Centre to release SSA funds, while also criticising the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
மாண்புமிகு பிரதமர் @narendramodi அவர்களே…#NEP2020-ஐ முழுமையாக நடைமுறைப்படுத்தி, மும்மொழிக் கொள்கையை ஏற்றால்தான் எங்கள் தமிழ்நாட்டு மாணவர்களுக்கான #SamagraShiksha நிதி ஒதுக்கப்படும் என்பது எவ்விதத்தில் நியாயம்?
தமிழ் மக்களின் உணர்வுகளுக்கு மதிப்பில்லையா?
இருவேறு… pic.twitter.com/k1pwb9T6dT
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) February 20, 2025
Union Education Minister Gajendra Prasad rejected Stalin’s claims, calling Tamil Nadu’s stance on the NEP “highly inappropriate” and accusing the DMK government of politicising education. He also reiterated the Centre’s commitment to promoting Tamil language and culture.
As political parties clashed over these issues, social media erupted with contrasting trends—#GoAwayModi, targeting the Prime Minister, and #GoAwayStalin, aimed at the chief minister.
BJP leader Thirupathy Narayanan accused the Tamil Nadu government of hypocrisy regarding the SSA funds.
“How is it justified to first agree to the Samagra Shiksha and then backtrack? Does the education of government school Tamil students hold no value?” he asked.
மாண்புமிகு முதல்வர் @mkstalin அவர்களே,#SamagraShiksha வை ஒப்புக்கொண்டு தமிழ் நாட்டு மாணவர்களுக்கான நிதியை ஒதுக்கவும் என்று மத்திய அரசிடம் கூறிவிட்டு பின்னர் பின்வாங்கியது எவ்விதத்தில் நியாயம்?
அரசு பள்ளி தமிழ் மாணவர்களின் கல்விக்கு மதிப்பில்லையா?
ஏழை அரசு பள்ளி மாணவர்களின்… https://t.co/6XOOAFihla
— Narayanan Thirupathy (@narayanantbjp) February 20, 2025
Speaking to South First the BJP leader said he criticised the DMK for neglecting infrastructure issues in government schools despite offering free food and uniforms.
He clarified that the #GoAwayStalin trend was not artificially created but was meant to expose the ruling DMK’s alleged failures.
Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai has strongly criticised the DMK-led government, alleging high-handedness, corruption, and policy failures.
He accused the government of turning Tamil Nadu into a hub for drugs and illicit liquor, fostering lawlessness, and failing to safeguard women and children.
Highlighting mounting debt, issues in the education sector, and divisive politics, Annamalai asserted that the people would soon dethrone the ruling party for its unending failures in governance and unfulfilled electoral promises.
For high handedness of one family, having a tainted cabinet, being an epicentre of corruption, turning a blind eye to lawlessness, turning TN into a haven for drugs & illicit liquor, mounting debt, dilapidated education ministry, precarious environment for women & children,… pic.twitter.com/VyD0BgPLfk
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) February 21, 2025
The #GetOutStalin hashtag crossed one million tweets.
Reached 1 Million Tweets #GetOutStalin
Once again, the BJP Warriors have shown that if anyone dares to touch PM @narendramodi ji, they will face our unwavering response. This is the gift we deliver in return!@annamalai_k @blsanthosh pic.twitter.com/gjlv5rlTJR
— Amar Prasad Reddy (@amarprasadreddy) February 21, 2025
Salem Dharanidharan of the DMK IT Wing refuted claims that the trending hashtags were manufactured. He claimed that the movement was organic.
“It’s not manufacturing; it’s influencing. People are voluntarily joining the trend,” Dharanidharan attributed the public’s participation to various issues, including inflation, language policies, and concerns over the central government’s stance on the state’s secular fabric.
“People recognise the issues and join in with this hashtag campaign since it’s also a form of a message, a strong message: Go away Modi,” he told South First.
He also highlighted that for the past two years Centre had nothing to say but it was now denying funds. He said it amounted to blackmailing, and termed it anti-constitutional.
Vinod Arumugam, a cyber expert, identified two aspects: organic political expression and potential manipulation.
“Hashtags are happening, and people voluntarily take part,” Arumugam noted, highlighting the genuine political discourse. However, he cautioned about the possibility of manipulation through “tweet bots” and coordinated efforts by private entities to amplify specific narratives.
Arumugam warned that while such trends could reflect public sentiment, their potential for manipulation posed challenges in a democratic society.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
