Singer Chinmayi, a victim of harassment, has a message for women

Singer Chinmayi Sripada is a very well-known figure in the film fraternity.  She has got her own set of fans and her voice is way too popular not just for her singing, but also for the dubbing she gives.  When it comes to harassment, not even a celebrity is a leave out.

Recently, BBC News Asia has published a feature on Chinmayi appreciating for her bold take on the trolls.  A few years ago, Chinmayi fields a case against a cyber bully who abused her on Twitter.  She tried blocking but didn’t help so she proceeded with legal recourse.

Journalist Shilpa Kannan wrote a feature that reads ‘Her case led to India’s first arrests for cyber bullying.’  Chinmayi has filed a case under Section 66A of the Information Technology Act.  When asked about the same in an interview for leading English daily, Chinmayi said ‘it was a mentally disturbing period.  Some said they would throw acid on me, others threatened to rape me to teach me a lesson.  I couldn’t be at peace as I could be easily identified in a crowd.’

Singer Chinmayi talks about her abuse on Twitter

When asked about the issue, Chinmayi told ‘There are new-found jobs, new-found IT boom and is unsettling a lot of these men.  They don’t know how to deal with this new creature who seems to have a voice for her own.  To all the women out there who are on social media, you might come across a morphed picture, trolls, abuse, etc.  Just stay put and ask for support.  Today I think we can get the support if we ask.’

After this episode of Chinmayi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi crop up with the #IamTrolledHelp initiative, in July to handle such cases.  Women can hashtag it and can file a complaint if they are stalked or abused online.

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