In the last one month, there have been as many as seven communal flare-ups in West Bengal (WB), all triggered by an unduly aggressive social media.
The latest communal disruption in North 24 Paraganas district of WB is yet another grim reminder of how the social media has become an agent provocateur for communal and social unrest.

On July 2, a blasphemous post on Facebook by a 17-year-old boy against Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) triggered communal riots in Baduria village of North 24 Parganas. The irate mob torched around 12 police vehicles, looted and ransacked several houses in the area.
The situation prompted the state government to rush 400 troops of paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) to contain the situation and suspend internet services for over a week.