Abstract

The rise of online cancel culture in India marks a significant shift in the digital public sphere where users often anonymously collectively call out shame or boycott individuals and institutions for perceived transgressions. Emerging from a blend of social media activism call-out culture and digital moral policing cancel culture is now an integral part of internet discourse in the country. This paper explores the psychological implications of cancel culture on individuals focusing on emotional trauma identity disruption anxiety and fear of social exclusion. Using a combination of case studies interviews and secondary data analysis the paper investigates how cancel culture affects mental well-being and the ability to engage in free expression online. It also examines the broader societal consequences of cancel culture—ranging from justice and accountability to mob behavior and performative outrage. The findings suggest that while cancel culture may provide temporary empowerment and red