Digital Trials and Meme Justice: A Qualitative Analysis of Gender and Power in Bigg Boss (Seasons 17–19)

• Author(s): Deepasa Mohanty; Dr. Abhilasha R.
• Paper ID: 1718526
• Page: 5745-5754
• Published Date: 08-07-2026
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 9 Issue 11 May-2026

Abstract

The rapid expansion of social media has transformed reality TV viewers from passive audiences into active participants, especially in Bigg Boss, where fans on platforms like Instagram, X, and Reddit not only watch the show but also shape its narrative through memes that condense emotions, conflicts, and strategic gameplay into viral cultural moments. This study examines the concepts of “digital trials” and “meme justice” across Seasons 17, 18, and 19, exploring how online audiences function as a collective jury that judge’s contestants by labeling them as “heroes” or “villains.” Over these seasons, the digital sphere has evolved into a virtual courtroom where shifting alliances, controversies, and emotional conflicts are instantly analyzed, mocked, defended, and circulated through memes and comment threads. In Season 17, fans closely examined changing relationships and strategies; in Season 18, conflicts became symbolic meme templates; and by Season 19, the transition from televised moments to online debates became almost immediate. “Meme justice” refers to the symbolic reward or punishment delivered by audiences through humor, satire, and viral content, which, although unofficial, strongly influences public perception and contestant reputations. Using qualitative content analysis, this research investigates online fan communities, meme formats, and discussion threads to identify recurring patterns in how viewers interpret fairness, morality, gender stereotypes, and power dynamics among contestants and fandoms. Ultimately, the study argues that Bigg Boss is no longer just a television program but an interactive cultural phenomenon in which memes act as tools of social surveillance, allowing contemporary audiences to use digital humor and collective participation to demand “justice” and reshape the power structures of modern media.

Keywords

Bigg Boss, Digital Trials, Meme Justice, Meme Culture, Gender Representation, Power Dynamics, Online Reputation

Citations

IRE Journals:
Deepasa Mohanty, Dr. Abhilasha R. "Digital Trials and Meme Justice: A Qualitative Analysis of Gender and Power in Bigg Boss (Seasons 17–19)" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 11 2026 Page 5745-5754

IEEE:
Deepasa Mohanty, Dr. Abhilasha R. "Digital Trials and Meme Justice: A Qualitative Analysis of Gender and Power in Bigg Boss (Seasons 17–19)" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 9, no. 11, May. 2026

APA:
Deepasa Mohanty, Dr. Abhilasha R. (2026). Digital Trials and Meme Justice: A Qualitative Analysis of Gender and Power in Bigg Boss (Seasons 17–19). Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(11).

MLA:
Deepasa Mohanty, Dr. Abhilasha R. "Digital Trials and Meme Justice: A Qualitative Analysis of Gender and Power in Bigg Boss (Seasons 17–19)" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 9, no. 11, May. 2026.

BibTeX

@article{1718526,
author = {Deepasa Mohanty, Dr. Abhilasha R.},
title = {Digital Trials and Meme Justice: A Qualitative Analysis of Gender and Power in Bigg Boss (Seasons 17–19)},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {9},
number = {11},
pages = {5745-5754},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1718526.pdf},
abstract = {The rapid expansion of social media has transformed reality TV viewers from passive audiences into active participants, especially in Bigg Boss, where fans on platforms like Instagram, X, and Reddit not only watch the show but also shape its narrative through memes that condense emotions, conflicts, and strategic gameplay into viral cultural moments. This study examines the concepts of “digital trials” and “meme justice” across Seasons 17, 18, and 19, exploring how online audiences function as a collective jury that judge’s contestants by labeling them as “heroes” or “villains.” Over these seasons, the digital sphere has evolved into a virtual courtroom where shifting alliances, controversies, and emotional conflicts are instantly analyzed, mocked, defended, and circulated through memes and comment threads. In Season 17, fans closely examined changing relationships and strategies; in Season 18, conflicts became symbolic meme templates; and by Season 19, the transition from televised moments to online debates became almost immediate. “Meme justice” refers to the symbolic reward or punishment delivered by audiences through humor, satire, and viral content, which, although unofficial, strongly influences public perception and contestant reputations. Using qualitative content analysis, this research investigates online fan communities, meme formats, and discussion threads to identify recurring patterns in how viewers interpret fairness, morality, gender stereotypes, and power dynamics among contestants and fandoms. Ultimately, the study argues that Bigg Boss is no longer just a television program but an interactive cultural phenomenon in which memes act as tools of social surveillance, allowing contemporary audiences to use digital humor and collective participation to demand “justice” and reshape the power structures of modern media.},
keywords = {Bigg Boss, Digital Trials, Meme Justice, Meme Culture, Gender Representation, Power Dynamics, Online Reputation},
month = {May}
}