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{{Short description|Pejorative coined by Ravish Kumar}}
'''WhatsApp University''' is a phrase which refers to the [[Fake news in India|fake news]] and [[misinformation]] spread in India through [[WhatsApp]] forwards.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-11-23|title=The Great Indian WhatsApp University|url=https://cyberblogindia.in/the-great-indian-whatsapp-university/|url-status=live|access-date=2022-01-03|website=The Cyber Blog India|language=en-GB|quote=The rationale behind using the term “WhatsApp University” is that the universities are a medium to provide knowledge and information. Similarly, since WhatsApp has taken over as the most preferred communication medium in India, it is now being used to share information which is rather funny and unrealistic, and it may have serious sequences.|archive-date=2022-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103150112/https://cyberblogindia.in/the-great-indian-whatsapp-university/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Roy|first=Sandip|date=2018-07-07|title=WhatsApp — India's leading university|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/whatsapp-indias-leading-university/article24358591.ece|access-date=2022-01-03|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=2022-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103150113/https://www.thehindu.com/society/whatsapp-indias-leading-university/article24358591.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

The phrase has gained a popular meme status and been a subject of [[Stand-up comedy|stand-up comics]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jena|first=Smrutisnat|date=2020-07-24|title=Logic Khatre Mein Hai: Kunal Kamra Takes On WhatsApp University In Latest Stand-Up|url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/humor/logic-khatre-mein-hai-kunal-kamra-takes-on-whatsapp-university-in-latest-stand-up/|access-date=2022-01-03|website=www.scoopwhoop.com|language=English|archive-date=2022-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103150113/https://www.scoopwhoop.com/humor/logic-khatre-mein-hai-kunal-kamra-takes-on-whatsapp-university-in-latest-stand-up/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Usage==

===Politics===

The phrase has been used to target politicians and political parties.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maharashtra Minister's "WhatsApp University" Jibe At BJP's New Online Campaign Plan|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maharashtra-ministers-whatsapp-university-jibe-at-bjps-new-online-campaign-plan-2270936|access-date=2022-01-03|website=NDTV.com|archive-date=2022-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103150111/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maharashtra-ministers-whatsapp-university-jibe-at-bjps-new-online-campaign-plan-2270936|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|agency=Press Trust of India|date=2021-12-20|title=Yogi getting my telephones tapped: Akhilesh|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/yogi-getting-my-telephones-tapped-akhilesh/article37993341.ece|access-date=2022-01-03|issn=0971-751X|quote=The Yogi Adityanath government is running a WhatsApp University in the State, Mr. Yadav said derisively.|archive-date=2022-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103150111/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/yogi-getting-my-telephones-tapped-akhilesh/article37993341.ece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-28|title=WATCH: BJP youth wing leader Ruchi Pathak claims India is on lease for 99 years, tweeple call her WhatsApp University topper|url=https://www.apnlive.com/bjp-ruchi-pathak-india-on-99-years-lease-video/|access-date=2022-01-03|website=APN News|language=en-US|archive-date=2022-01-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103150119/https://www.apnlive.com/bjp-ruchi-pathak-india-on-99-years-lease-video/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/politics/bjp-mps-call-kharge-vc-of-whatsapp-university-for-criticising-railways-123060901106_1.html|title=BJP MPs call Kharge 'VC of WhatsApp University' for criticising Railways}}</ref>

===Courts===
In May 2022, [[Kerala High Court]] dismissed a [[Public interest litigation in India|PIL]], alleging forceful vaccination of children in schools based on social media rumours. It remarked, “Don't go by this WhatsApp University. You are here with a speculative cause of action. We are not going to create confusion in the minds of people.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Varghese |first=Hannah M. |date=2022-05-06 |title='Don't Go By WhatsApp University': Kerala High Court Dismisses PIL Alleging Forced Vaccination Of Children |url=https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/dont-go-by-whatsapp-university-kerala-high-court-dismisses-pil-alleging-forced-vaccination-of-children-198488 |access-date=2022-05-08 |website=www.livelaw.in |language=en |archive-date=2022-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506160806/https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/dont-go-by-whatsapp-university-kerala-high-court-dismisses-pil-alleging-forced-vaccination-of-children-198488 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Indian WhatsApp lynchings]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://zenodo.org/record/8105963 The Dark Side of IIT Coaching: Pressure, Suicides, and Profit-driven Institutes -Whatsapp University]

[[Category:Misinformation]]
[[Category:Social media]]
[[Category:WhatsApp]]
[[Category:Popular culture neologisms]]
[[Category:Fake news in India]]
[[Category:Propaganda in India]]
[[Category:Cybercrime in India]]
[[Category:Political controversies in India]]
[[Category:Religious controversies in India]]
[[Category:Mass media-related controversies in India]]

WhatsApp University - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article