Should I stop arguing politics on social media?

I realized most of the online rants are toxic, unhealthy and unhelpful on social media and that leads to unnecessary bitterness between us. Sometimes its very difficult to ignore at all, even though they are not pointing or mentioning me or my name or my article but still I feel to reply or comment on that. I have must lost over 100 Facebook friends and most importantly I am blocked by no fewer than three family members. I do argue about abortion, politics, woman empowerment, child education and equality in society.

In fact, often vulgar debates taking place in the comment section of my articles. Sometimes I wish, there should not be any option to comment on others post on social media. Today, I saw one random post from one of my college juniors and post was “Indian government is busy in their political campaign rather than working for wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s release.” I was so angry after seeing this post as not only we Indians, the entire world level media is saluting and preaching Indian government for their stand and their diplomacy for this entire situation. But still I was okay and did not think to reply to his post at all, but then I went to his profile and started scanning his all recent posts and I was completely shocked how anybody can be so biased for their country and their running government. His entire post was related to Indian government only and all are toxic and unhealthy post. Finally I had replied his post as below:-

“If you really want to post on Facebook today, there are lot of news related to Abhinandan and today all we are celebrating as he is coming back to India”

And this conversation went to next level as many comes there and start reacting as per their views or thoughts and in the last I felt bad why i have commented here and everyone is fighting and putting bitter comments. Yes I know about myself, I support right wings in politics and admire his vision and i think most of the Indians also agreed and happy with Indian government led by right wings. I often write political opinion column on Facebook, Twitter or Medium for my followers or just as random thoughts, mots of the time it receives good acceptance among the audience or people and sometime my column will be with full of vulgar comments. Sometimes I do not feel to post anything as it will be hurting someone or i will get dislike by others, and entire friends on social media is really friends of mine: some of them are college friends, some of them are colleagues and some of them are family or relatives.

I took step back and asked to myself, who it was I was fighting for, and if what I am doing is helping those peoples. The answer is no.

After the dust settled, and I looked around at the wreckage my words caused, I am deciding to quit this social media for arguing. I had enough and am loosing some of my close friends or buddies and reason is obvious as they are not agreed with my post and as per them I don’s stand with him or her or with their respective opinion. I am not a big writers or leaders who have to stand with his ideology so Its hardly matter if I will not be writing on social media for those topics. I can choose another platform to write column where random people will be mu audience and they will stick with me If they like it otherwise they will not be as my audience or followers. I am planning to quit social media platform for writing my columns, it doesn’t mean I am advocating for silence by any means. There are plenty of instances when I think its appropriate to stand up.

Four years ago, I wound not have responded o similar post what I am seeing every days on social media because that time I was not so active in Indian politics, world level issues, and many others thing. I was also very calm but not sophisticated at all. Actually I like Mr Narendra Modi and his ideology, and when he came in power from chief minister to prime minister I started following him very closely and I feel bit responsible to endorse his work or his vision among the peoples that’s it. There will be many people who have developed interest in politics after 2014 election, earlier political discussion was for very matured person not for youngsters. Buts now it’s totally different, now youngsters are more interested and you can see political discussion every where and in every age group.

So finally, I want to be back where I was 4 years ago with much acceptance and love from my family members or friends. And I hope I will be unblocked by some of my family members when they will come to know about my new resolution. I am wishing myself with all confidence to do that.

Stay tuned and I will be back with more interesting articles soon. Drop your comments or suggestion if you have in below comment box. See you soon.

Thanks,

Pratham Singh