June 08, 2023

Anurag Kashyap has finally done what should be done when faced with any kind of threats – in the real world or online. He has gone ahead and filed an FIR against trolls who threatened to rape his daughter. Those who issued the rape threats are the vilest of beings and need to be apprehended and brought to justice. No thought or belief is sacrosanct enough to threaten to rape someone’s daughter if he or she disagrees with it or rejects it.

Kashyap is known to hold views that can easily anger Modi bhakts and Hindutva votaries. But anger is one thing and issuing threats is another. If one is angered that someone holds a contrary view, one can engage him or her in a civil debate. But the tragedy is that there is no civil debate online. Social media has become a place where people, often hiding behind anonymity, target celebrities (and even commoners) with choicest of abuses and obscene remarks. Women are often threatened with disfigurement and rape.

This has become a regular feature now. Just post anything against Modi, or Hindutva or even in support of Muslims and you are sure to be trolled mercilessly and you will not want to show the language used to anyone except the police and your lawyer. But the cyber cells of the police forces across the country have become very efficient. One does not need to take these threats lying down. If one files an FIR, the police are more than likely to apprehend the culprit. Once more and more people file FIR’s and abusive trolls are apprehended, it will perhaps reduce the menace. But one feels that a complete stop is impossible as every troll feels that as he is posting anonymously no one will be able to catch him. Still, not a single such threat or abuse should be ignored as it will serve to embolden the trolls.