LAUGHING THROUGH CRISIS: A CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF SOCIAL MEDIA MEMES DURING THE PAK-INDIA CONFLICT (APRIL-MAY 2025)

Abstract

 This study critically examines the role of social media memes in shaping public discourse during the Pak-India conflict of April-May 2025. Memes, often dismissed as trivial or humorous, have emerged as a significant form of communication in contemporary digital societies, especially during political crises. By employing a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) approach, this research investigates how memes reflect, reinforce, or challenge political ideologies, national identities, and public sentiments amidst conflict. The study highlights how humor and satire, delivered through memes, can be utilized to either defuse tensions or exacerbate them. Data were drawn from 15 selected memes that went viral during the specified time frame. The findings aim to contribute to the understanding of how digital humor influences public opinion and political discourse in conflict zones.