DIGITAL CONFLICT NARRATIVES: A CONCEPTUAL METAPHOR AND MULTIMODAL STUDY OF MISSION SINDOOR & JANG-E-BANYAN-UL- MARSOOS MEMES

Abstract

Today, in the age of the internet, memes have become very strong tools for influencing public opinion, particularly in times of political crisis. Through this research, an investigation has been conducted into how conceptual metaphors and visual symbols within memes function as ideological resources during the May 2025 India–Pakistan crisis. Conceptual Metaphor Theory (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980) and Multimodal Metaphor Theory (Forceville, 2008) were employed to examine how both nations used culturally infused metaphors, including sacrifice, Sindoor, nature, and solidity, to conceptualize confrontation, revenge, and national identity. The research conducted a qualitative analysis of a few memes, examining how national ideologies, moral arguments, and emotional arguments are inscribed in the digital text,  shedding light on how national ideologies and political discourse are constructed and contested in cyberspace.