Overview
- Two viral Instagram Stories from Sanjana Ganesan and Devisha Shetty presented opposing views on the July 20 Delhi protests and produced intense online debate.
- Ganesan’s post stressed humanitarian harm and said a six-year-old choked on tear gas, arguing that peaceful civilians should not fear security forces.
- Shetty’s posts expressed sympathy for the students but condemned stone-throwing and property damage, saying violent acts cross the line from protest to criminality.
- On July 20 police moved to block and disperse thousands of Cockroach Janta Party supporters near Parliament, with protesters reporting baton use, tear gas and some injuries while some demonstrators reportedly threw stones.
- The social-media flare-up has increased political attention to the protests, kept Sonam Wangchuk’s extended hunger strike in focus, and left the authorities’ use of force contested as the mobilization continues.