How Indians use English on social media to express identity and protest
Young Indians often turn to English when sharing their cultural traditions with the world. By posting about festivals like Diwali or Holi in English, they not only explain their significance to non-Indians but also take pride in showcasing their roots to a global audience.
New Delhi: English is a big part of how Indians communicate on social media. It’s not just a language for work or school but a way to show who they are and speak up about issues. With over 692 million internet users in India, social media platforms like Instagram, X, and YouTube are spaces where English mixes with local languages to create unique identities. Many Indians use English to connect with global audiences, share their culture, and express pride in their roots. For example, young Indians often post about traditional festivals like Diwali or Holi in English to explain their importance to non-Indians. This helps them feel proud of their heritage while reaching people worldwide.
On platforms like Instagram, English is used creatively to show personal style. Influencers and regular users mix English slang with Hindi or Tamil words, creating a trendy vibe. Phrases like "Desi vibes only” or "Chai and chill” are common in captions, blending Indian culture with global pop culture. This mix shows a modern Indian identity that’s both local and global. For instance, many urban Indians use English to talk about Bollywood movies, Indian fashion, or street food, making their culture cool and relatable. This has become even more popular in 2025, with video content like Instagram Reels gaining traction. Short videos with English captions or voiceovers help users share their stories, from dance moves to cooking recipes, with a global twist.
English is also a powerful tool for protest on social media. In 2025, Indians are using platforms like X to speak out against social and political issues. English helps them reach a wider audience, including international activists and media. For example, recent protests against language policies, like the push for Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking states, have seen strong online campaigns. People in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka used English hashtags like #StopHindiImposition to share their anger and demand respect for regional languages. These campaigns went viral, with thousands of posts explaining why forcing Hindi feels unfair to non-Hindi speakers.
Another example is the outrage over racist comments targeting Indian professionals in the US. In early 2025, Indian-Americans faced hateful social media attacks, especially about H-1B visas. Indian users on X responded with English posts condemning racism and calling for stronger laws. Hashtags like #IndiansAgainstHate trended as people shared stories of discrimination and demanded action. Leaders like Rishi Kumar and Ajay Bhutoria used English to urge tech platforms to remove hateful content and protect minorities. This showed how English can unite Indians across borders to fight for justice.
Social media is also a space where Indians challenge stereotypes using English. In February 2025, a German influencer mocked "Indian English” on Instagram, joking about how Indians use words like "expired” for death. The video got eight million views, but many Indians clapped back in English, calling out her ignorance. Comments like "Our English is valid, learn some respect” and "India speaks English better than you think” went viral. Users pointed out that Indian English is unique and reflects the country’s diversity. This pushback showed how Indians use English to defend their identity and correct misunderstandings about their culture.
Gender and identity are also big topics on social media. Young Indians, especially from the LGBTQ+ community, use English to share their stories and demand acceptance. In 2025, more Indians are adding pronouns like "she/her” or "they/them” to their Instagram bios, following global trends. This started gaining attention in 2019 when trans Indians like Ray shared their journeys online. Now, even straight allies like Srini Ramaswamy use pronouns in their bios to support inclusivity. English helps them explain complex ideas about gender to a broad audience, sparking conversations about equality in workplaces and schools.
English also plays a role in mental health discussions. With 78% of Indians using social media for leisure, platforms like Instagram are spaces to talk about anxiety and depression. Young users post in English about self-care, therapy, and breaking stigma. For example, campaigns like #MentalHealthMatters use English to reach urban and rural audiences, encouraging people to seek help. This is important because mental health is often ignored in India due to stigma. By using English, users make these discussions accessible to more people, including those who might not speak regional languages fluently.
The rise of regional language platforms shows that English isn’t the only way to express identity. Platforms like ShareChat allow users to post in Hindi, Tamil, or Bengali, but English is still used to bridge gaps. For instance, non-English-speaking users often add English captions to their videos to reach a bigger audience. This mix is common in 2025, as 88% of Indian language users respond better to ads in their native language but use English for global appeal. This shows how English and regional languages work together to shape online identities.
Hate speech is a growing concern, and English is used to call it out. In 2024, 1,165 hate speech events targeting Muslims and Christians were shared on social media, with 995 first posted online. English posts on X and Facebook exposed these incidents, urging platforms to act. Users shared videos of political rallies with hateful messages, using English to explain the context to international followers. This helped raise awareness about the need for stricter rules against hate speech, especially when platforms like Facebook and YouTube failed to remove violative content.