Check out 16 Return-To-Work Programs In India For Ambitious Women Like You!
The recent tragic attacks in Pulwama, Kashmir which took the lives of more than 40 CRPF jawans left the entire nation grieving. Noted journalist Barkha Dutt shared her nuanced piece on Twitter regarding these attacks; however soon she was horribly trolled.
Some of these trolls also managed to get her phone number and sent her menacing messages, one of which included the picture of a male genital with a crude message attached to it. All this in the name of ‘love for the nation’.
Who are these people? Those fearless men who feel that war is solution to all problems. Respond to bloodshed with more bloodshed. And no, they are not the ones that will go on the front to face the bullets. They are only comfortable making faceless treats to women in the name of patriotism.
This is not the first time a woman has been mercilessly trolled for expressing an opinion that is different. However, this woman is a senior journalist and a recipient of the Padma Shri. Does she not deserve more respect? She stood with our army at Kargil, covering an ongoing war, putting herself in jeopardy – if anyone does have a right to express an opinion on the current issue, it is her.
Barkha Dutt has decided to not take any of this lying down. She has made all the numbers that sent threats to her public. She also requested Twitter to take actions against what looked like a coordinated hate campaign against her. She was supported by several people and Delhi Police responded by saying that they will track down all the numbers and take action.
In 2017, when Gurmehar Kaur, a martyr’s daughter had condemned war, she had been trolled by similar bullies. Fearing her safety, she had to leave town for a few months.
Where online media is a great invention which allows news to travel across the globe in minutes, it has also become a weapon for bullies. Due to the anonymity it offers, many use it as a way to intimidate anyone with whose opinion they do not agree. Intimidating women is their favourite past time.
It is about time that Twitter took serious note of how its platform is becoming a hotspot for cyber bullies. There is no responsibility attached to the user who feels free to express their views, against anyone, in whatever abusive form they want.
Dear Barkha, this fight is not yours alone, but of all those women whose right to express their opinion is being threatened, all those who have been told to shut up or else, all those who have been told their views are not important enough. We are with you.
My first book - Second Chances has just released and is present on all online book stores. Do pick up a copy to read about the adventures of a novice ghost. read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, individual posts do not necessarily represent the platform's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
UP Boards Topper Prachi Nigam was trolled on social media for her facial hair; our obsession with appearance is harsh on young minds.
Prachi Nigam’s photo has been doing the rounds on social media for the right reasons. Well, scratch that- I wish the above statement were true. This 15-year-old girl should ideally be revelling in her spectacular achievement of scoring a whopping 98.05% and topping her tenth-grade boards. But oddly enough, along with her marks, it’s something else that garners more attention – her facial hair.
While the trolls are driving themselves giddy by mocking this girl who hasn’t even completed her school yet, the ones who are taking her side are going one step ahead – they are sharing her photoshopped pictures, sans the facial hair, looking nothing less than a celebrity with captions saying – “Prachi Nigam, ten years later”.
Doctors have already diagnosed her with PCOD in their comments, based on photographic evidence. While we have names for people shamed for their weight – body shaming, for their skin colour- racism, for their age- age shaming, for being a female- sexism, this category of shaming where one faces criticism for their appearance has no name. With that, it also has zero shame attached to it.
Please enter your email address