Subcontinent's Protest Economy: Narrative Warfare Replaces Domestic Bargaining

• Protests in the subcontinent have shifted from domestic bargaining to external signaling, aiming for diplomatic reaction and narrative dominance.
• This 'protest economy' thrives when institutional trust is low, as seen in Bangladesh's economic growth but declining political legitimacy.
• India often becomes a target due to its historical role, with anti-India rhetoric used to fill legitimacy gaps, as observed in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
• The success of protests is now measured by reach in algorithmic media, with geopolitical framing escalating narratives for wider circulation.
• Embassies are targeted as they are visible, high-attention points that amplify causes and force international reaction without resolving issues.

Why It Matters: Subcontinent protests now prioritize external narrative dominance over domestic policy change, leveraging attention.