The Scene: An Election and a Familiar Pattern
In the run-up to elections in Bihar, you see all the usual activity — rallies, speeches, promises. But there’s something more subtle (and more troubling) happening. Some political parties, feeling threatened or jealous of rivals who are gaining traction, start spreading false narratives: they pick a target (a rival party or candidate), create a lie about them, get followers to repeat it, and before long the lie begins to sound like truth.
It’s just like what happens in college when a once-popular student sees someone else rising: out of fear or envy they start rumors, bully tactics, and repeated lies so the crowd turns against the newcomer. In politics, the stakes are higher — the arena is public, the tools are mass media and social platforms, and the effects ripple far beyond one campus.
What’s Really Going On: The Psychology Behind the Playbook
Gaslighting in Public Life
A term originally used in personal relationships, gaslighting means making someone question their reality. In the political context, when a party or leader denies facts, repeats falsehoods, or discredits critics, they’re applying the same kind of manipulation. Researchers call this “post-truth politics and collective gaslighting”. Cambridge University Press & Assessment+1
When citizens see conflicting versions of reality — like “he didn’t say that” vs “he definitely did” — many begin to doubt their own judgments. The result is confusion, mistrust, and thus easier control for those who push the messages.
The Illusory Truth Effect: Repetition Builds Belief
There’s strong research showing that repeating a statement makes people more likely to believe it, even if it’s false. This is the illusory truth effect. PubMed+1
So when a political party keeps repeating a claim about a rival candidate (for example: “He is corrupt,” even with no proof) — the repeated exposure makes that claim feel more believable.
Moreover, another study found that if you focus on accuracy when you first encounter a statement — that is, you ask yourself “Is this true?” — it weakens the illusion. PubMed
Why This Matters for Mental Health
When you are repeatedly exposed to conflicting or manipulative messages:
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You can start doubting what you see or know.
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Anxiety rises (“Am I wrong? Is everything upside down?”).
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Polarisation grows — you feel pressured to pick a side.
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When good candidates or parties are tarnished through lies, trust in politics erodes, and cynicism sets in.
This isn’t just politics. It’s emotional wear and tear on society.
The Pattern: Tarnishing Others to Elevate Self
In your observation you noticed: good politicians doing good work sometimes get attacked by rivals who feel threatened. They spread lies so the rival’s public image takes a hit — much like a bully in a classroom.
Here’s how it often plays out:
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Politician A starts gaining popularity.
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Politician B feels insecure — sees that his “popularity position” might slip.
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Politician B’s team invents or exaggerates a scandal about A.
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Supporters of B pick it up, social media amplifies it, news outlets repeat it, and soon the narrative is that A is the “bad guy”.
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By the time fact-checking happens, the damage is done.
This pattern is not rare; it’s a tool in many political arsenals worldwide.
How to Protect Ourselves: Mental Hygiene for the Voter
Knowing the tactics is half the battle. The other half is personal and collective action. Here are practical steps:
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Pause before you share.
When you see a claim about a politician: ask “What’s the source? Has it been verified?”
If the claim keeps repeating but no official proof shows up — be wary. -
Focus on accuracy, not just emotion.
Research shows that when people initially focus on truth rather than interest, the illusory truth effect weakens. PubMed+1
So next time you read a headline: ask yourself “Is this credible?” instead of “Is this shocking?” -
Follow multiple information sources.
Don’t rely solely on one party’s media channel or one social media feed. Cross-check.
A narrative crafted to tarnish a good politician might flourish in echo-chambers. -
Support good work openly.
When a politician or party does something positive, amplify it. Communities often ignore positive acts, while negative allegations explode. -
Teach critical thinking and media literacy.
At home, school, with friends. The more people understand how manipulation works, the less damage lies cause. -
Hold your leaders accountable for lies.
A politician who uses lies to stay powerful is still a bully in the public square. Demand clarity, transparency, consequence.
Why It Matters: When Our Democracy Loses, We All Do
When lies replace truth and good work gets tarnished unfairly:
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Public trust drops.
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Democracy weakens.
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Constructive policies take second place to scandal hunting.
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Social divisions deepen, making collaborative solutions harder.
This isn’t just about one election. It’s about the kind of politics we accept and the kind of mental environment we live in. Manipulation erodes the foundations of civic health.
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