Women Speak up Against Intolerance Fuelling the World's Largest Democracy
This week, Indian social media once again erupted against the intolerance towards religious and caste divisions in the country. With Tanishq pulling down its advertisement which showcased an inter-religious baby-shower, people were quick to point out the growing state of communal violence and prejudice in the country.
As minorities and marginalised communities continue to be under constant attack, there has been a greater debate surrounding the implications of intolerance, exclusion, and a warped sense of Indian nationalism.
Journalist Anuradha Sharma made a quick, and not surprising, observation.
I just discovered that the guy who exposed the brand manager of @TanishqJewelry to massive trolling, hatred and threats, forcing the withdrawal of the Hindu-Muslim harmony advertisement is followed by our Prime Minister.
— anuradha sharma (@NuraRadha) October 13, 2020
Actor Swara Bhasker talked about the impact of prejudice taking down the convictions of large companies.
Sad lack of spine.. and conviction. Numerous women (and men) get death threats on social media on a daily basis.. they stand up to it. Unfortunate that a large corporate conglomerate is unable to gather the courage (and resources) to withstand a few days of trolling! 🙄 #tanishq https://t.co/PBDPVlRxZe
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) October 14, 2020
Riya Singh, from the team of ‘Dalit Women Fight,’ added onto the dialogue following the aftermath of the Hathras rape case.
What we see in the aftermath of the @Hathras gang rape is the complicit nature of the police administration and the upper caste groups. In this respect, we want to bring to your attention the following this. Please read the thread!
— Riya Singh (@Dalit_Swag) October 14, 2020
Supreme Court lawyer Kiruba Munuswamy talked about the casteist comments she continues to receive.
I was in an event discussing patriarchy & violence among a hundred students. All over my speech, casteist comments such as "If you Dalits can't live with upper-castes, why don't you leave the country? You can't brainwash us" were made.
I was like, "Wow! you made my job easier".— Kiruba Munusamy (@kirubamunusamy) October 15, 2020
Journalist Rohini Mohan shared a clip of the mother of Payal Tadvi, a second-year resident at BYL Nair Hospital who died by suicide due to severe harassment in 2019, talking about the need for solidarity and support for people from marginalised castes.
Payal Tadvi's mother: "If there was even one Ambedkarite professor in the college they could have helped my daughter. She wouldn't have taken her life. She would have been a doctor, a Corona warrior today." https://t.co/mKcaUHDHnH
— Rohini Mohan (@rohini_mohan) October 11, 2020
Journalist Rana Ayyub shared the hard, real, and unfortunate truth faced by many in the country.
+100 pic.twitter.com/dnvD0uxgJK
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) October 16, 2020
Journalist Menaka Doshi shed light on the broken judicial system in India.
After two years of hearing the case...nearing a verdict...the judge says this court has no jurisdiction.
Priya Ramani must now defend herself all over again against a defamation charge brought by MJ Akbar.
This is how India's judicial system breaks you. https://t.co/bBbmr6ZF4r— menaka doshi (@menakadoshi) October 13, 2020
Activist Sunitha Krishnan presented her opinion on what progress in India should look like.
Free from foeticide, infanticide, rape, molestation, domestic violence, dowry harassment and sex trafficking those are my parameters for 'India Shining'
— sunitha krishnan (@sunita_krishnan) October 13, 2020
Also Read: Angellica Aribam: The Unshakable Political Voice of North-East India
