A 23-year-old content creator from Delhi has become the target of widespread online abuse, including rape and death threats, following a viral video she posted from a protest site. The incident highlights the dangerous escalation of online harassment faced by individuals, particularly women, in India.
Escalating Harassment After Viral Video
Shraddha Singh, a content creator, found herself at the centre of a severe online backlash after participating in a protest at Jantar Mantar on July 20 regarding examination paper leaks. A short video, or reel, that she recorded with security personnel in the background garnered millions of views rapidly, leading to accusations of disrespecting security forces.
Despite promptly deleting the video and issuing an apology, the torrent of hateful messages did not cease. Singh described her experience to The Tribune, stating that her inbox and social media feeds were inundated with disturbing threats. The abuse has become so intense that she feels unsafe travelling alone and often resorts to covering her face to avoid recognition.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that Singh claims to have received over 34,000 threatening messages across platforms like Meta and X. The fear stemming from this ordeal has led her to declare she will not participate in protests again. The language used in the messages has been described as extremely vulgar, and the harassment has extended to her mother, who resides in Bhopal. Reports suggest that her home address was also discovered, leading to direct rape threats and threats of physical violence.
Impact on Personal and Professional Life
Singh recounted that she had intended the reel as a form of light-hearted meme, with no malicious intent to offend anyone. However, by July 26 or 27, she realised the outrage had spiralled beyond normal online criticism, making her a specific target. She noted that much of the abuse originated from anonymous accounts using fake identities, making it difficult to identify the perpetrators.
Even disconnecting from social media offered little respite. As a yoga instructor with a substantial online following, Singh stated she has experienced a significant loss of both online and offline clients since the video went viral. She has reportedly lost over 20,000 online clients and nearly all her offline clientele.
The fear of repercussions has extended to her housing situation. Singh expressed anxiety over an upcoming meeting with her landlords, concerned about how they might perceive the situation following the viral video. For several days after the incident, she remained confined to her home. Simple errands outside now require careful planning to avoid being identified. She questioned the disproportionate targeting of women participants in such online campaigns.
Seeking Safety Amidst Threats
Singh emphasised the pervasive nature of her fear, stating she no longer ventures out alone and always seeks companionship from friends for a sense of security. While initial outreach from authorities was not immediate, she confirmed that representatives from government bodies and the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) have since contacted her.
The incident involving Shraddha Singh underscores a growing concern about the severity of online harassment in India and the psychological toll it can take on individuals. While the exact perpetrators remain largely unidentified, the widespread nature of the threats points to a concerning trend of coordinated online attacks.
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The Chenab Times News Desk