HYDERABAD: The last thing one would expect when trying to help women facing online abuse and trolling is being trolled in return. Ironically that’s what happened to Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka andhi who on Tuesday asked women who faced abuse or trolling online to send her an email about it at her official id.
Gandhi’s tweet: “Are you a woman who is trolled or abused? Inform me at gandhim@nic.in,” was initially welcomed by several women on Twitter, especially by high profile users such as journalist Swati Chaturvedi who was recently at the receiving end of abuse from singer Abhijeet. But sexism spares none, even Union Ministers as Gandhi’s Cabinet colleague Smriti Irani can attest. Soon, scores of male users started taking digs at Gandhi, demanding “gender equality” and asking to whom men facing abuse should turn. Even Abhijeet responded saying, “I’m a man, a son, a dad, a bro trolled n abused by lady presstitute & her Paki frnds abused my nation whom to contact?”
Another prominent user, Gaurav Pradhan, tweeted saying, “... ur ministry is Women Child “Development” NOT hate MEN. What about other way...”
Meanwhile, Chaturvedi welcomed the move but claimed most trolls were from the right wing: “Excellent move its a long list of RW trolls!”
However, unfazed by the trolling, Gandhi tweeted, “This man’s account has been suspended by Twitter. Have asked @NCWIndia to take this up with Cyber Crime Department”.