Childhood buddies wrangle, WhatsApp groups see exits over CAA-NRC debates on social media

Relationships among childhood friends are turning sour, students are disagreeing with their teachers and alumnus of prestigious institutions are exiting WhatsApp groups, all because of arguments on social media over the controversial citizenship law and the National Register of Citizens.

As protests across the country over the amended citizenship law and a possible NRC turned violent leaving around 20 dead and several more injured in clashes with the police, there were heated debates on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp groups.

Allahabad-based Roshini Ahmed, 23, was taken aback when her two childhood friends labelled her a "terrorist" and told her "to go to Pakistan" if she cannot support the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the NRC.

An M.A. from Allahabad University, she said she held "dearest" these two friends with whom she shared lunches and notes in school and college but was shocked by their reaction after she raised concerns over the CAA and NRC on Facebook and WhatsApp statuses.

"It was something I couldn't have imagined coming from my friends. One of them regretted being my friend or helping me in college, thinking that I am a terrorist because I don't agree with her political views," Ahmed told PTI.

"It was very insulting and hurting. I had no words to answer so I left her message unanswered," she said.

Asked if she thought the relationships could be repaired, she said, "I've lost them and they've lost me, not even sure if they consider my going away as a loss or not."