Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Instagram engagement has surged by nearly 290% following the recent Gen-Z-led protest, according to an analysis by Data Beings. The sharp rise highlights the growing importance of social media in India’s political landscape, particularly as political leaders seek to connect with younger audiences.
According to the analysis, Modi’s average Instagram engagement per post increased from around 1.19 million to 4.63 million, representing a 289.9% jump. The increase reportedly followed the Gen-Z-led protest associated with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which gained prominence after demonstrations at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Rahul Gandhi Also Sees Major Rise
The increase was not limited to the Prime Minister. Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi also recorded a substantial rise in Instagram engagement during the period analysed by Data Beings.
Rahul Gandhi’s average engagement per post reportedly increased by around 180.7%, according to the report. The data suggests that the rise in political engagement extended across several prominent political accounts, although individual leaders reportedly benefited more strongly than their respective party accounts.
Instagram Becomes Key Political Platform
The figures underline how Instagram has become an increasingly important platform for political communication in India. Leaders are using short videos, reels and direct-to-camera content to reach younger users who may consume political information differently from traditional television and newspaper audiences.
The surge in engagement also comes at a time when the BJP-led government is placing greater emphasis on connecting with Gen-Z and Gen Alpha. Modi has recently encouraged ministers to engage more actively with younger generations, including through visits to universities and government schools.
Engagement Does Not Equal Electoral Support
While the reported increase in likes, comments, shares and other interactions is significant, higher social-media engagement should not automatically be interpreted as increased electoral support. Online activity can include positive reactions, criticism, debate and even opposition-driven engagement.
The latest figures therefore indicate a rise in political attention and interaction, rather than directly measuring changes in voter preference.
A New Digital Political Battleground
The development highlights the changing nature of political communication in India. With millions of young Indians active on social-media platforms, Instagram is increasingly becoming a battleground for political messaging, public perception and direct engagement.
For Modi, the reported 290% rise represents a significant increase in the visibility of his Instagram content. For political parties across the spectrum, the figures could encourage greater investment in youth-focused digital communication as they compete for attention in an increasingly online political environment.
