Framing Manipur Violence: Assessing Right-Wing Inroads into the Syrian Christian Community of Kerala

The Syrian Christian community in Kerala has responded positively to the right-wing political outreach. Its digital manifestations are evident, especially on Facebook. But how do they respond to unfavourable external events? Through netnographic analysis of a select Christian Facebook page, this study explores the community’s framing of Manipur violence, which was characterised as Christian persecution within a majoritarian setting. The research probes the frame-building process, simplifying historical intricacies and reframing ethnic violence and tribal strife within the narrative. The analysis reveals the adoption of caste consciousness and the religious othering tropes to undermine the solidarity extended to Manipur Christians. The formats of multimedia content and the linguistic choices exemplify the rhetorical positioning of the community. The findings shed insights into the deliberations of minorities within and outside their communities in a majoritarian framework.