A local influencer’s post glorifying a recently-murdered history-sheeter of Sivaganga district has come under the radar, pushing the Krishnagiri district administration to create awareness on responsible digital citizenship.
The murder of Sullan Madan of Sivaganga in a gang rivalry had digital ramifications here soon after a Krishnagiri youth’s Instagram handle, with a reckonable following and no connection to the slain man, uploaded a video glorifying Madan. A visually comical video with ‘punch dialogues’, however, turned out to be a paid campaign for a minimum sum of ₹400.
The video was deleted at the instance of the police. The youth also posted a video revealing that the offer to post the video came from an unknown Instagram handle, attached with a voiceover, to post the video glorifying Madan and also a promise to avenge his death.
Following this incident, the district administration had issued an advisory cautioning social media users against publishing videos that glorify violence, display weapons or promoting criminal activities.
District Collector C. Dinesh Kumar said, the incident demonstrated how a social media post for a small monetary consideration can have serious consequences. Influencers must understand that their responsibility does not end with uploading a video or subsequently deleting it and tendering an apology. “Content that glorifies criminal elements can provoke rivalries, create fear among the public, mislead impressionable youngsters and potentially disturb public peace, “ the Collector added.
Clarifying that the administration was not against the creative expression of Influencers, “the objective is to encourage responsible digital citizenship and prevent normalisation of violence particularly among youngsters,” the Collector said. Freedom of expression must be exercised with responsibility, he added.
The district administration, in coordination with the police, will continue to create awareness and ensure that content leading to incitement, intimidation, or other unlawful activity is dealt with in accordance with the law. “Social media influence should be used to inspire society, not to glorify those who terrorise it.”
Published - October 21, 2026 08:41 pm IST