India PM Modi’s BJP replaces social media head weeks after youth protests

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) replaced its social media head on Aug 17 as part of an organisational reshuffle, weeks after youth-led protests amplified on social media forced the resignation of the education minister.



The reshuffle is the first by new BJP president Nitin Nabin, who took charge in January and, at 45, is the youngest party chief – a generational shift seen as part of the BJP’s efforts to retain young voters.



Social media head Amit Malviya, who held the post since 2015, was replaced by Deepak Mhaskey.



It did not give any details about Mhaskey’s previous role, but his LinkedIn profile said he had served as a party spokesman and head of its information technology cell in central India.



Nabin did not specify the reason for the change or what the team would do differently under Mhaskey’s leadership, but, referring to the broader reshuffle, said it would further strengthen the organisation and give it “new momentum”.