Alok Nath's Un-Sanskaari Tweet, Shruti Seth and a Game of Trolls

New Delhi: Actor Alok Nath's 'sanskaari' credentials are being questioned after he directed an abusive tweet, now deleted, at activist Kavita Krishnan's criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the #SelfieWithDaughter hashtag.

After PM Modi urged his audience to post pictures with their daughters on Sunday's episode of radio address Mann Ki Baat, social media was flooded with photos of parents with their daughters and #SelfieWithDaughter zoomed to top trend on Twitter. Among the critics was Ms Krishnan who wrote in a tweet: Careful before sharing #SelfieWithDaughter with #LameDuckPM. He has a record of stalking daughters

Alok Nath, best known for playing a series of 'babujis,' - flag-bearers of good values - on TV shows like Buniyaad and films like Hum Saath Saath Hain, tweeted a photo of himself with his daughter but almost instantly undid it by describing Kavita Krishnan as a 'bitch' and calling for her to be 'jailed.'

He removed the tweet later but it was too late. Twitter reacted with shock, calling him out for this public shattering of the 'sanskaars' or traditional values he is famous for espousing on screen:

Stand up comic Aditi Mittal wrote:
 

Someone shut Alok Nath up before he ruins whatever nostalgia value there was of his weepy mug doing kanyadaan all over the place.

Aditi Mittal (@awryaditi) June 29, 2015

 

And just like that Internet exposes you to people's reality... Not expected from beloved Babuji.. https://t.co/096N6yXEoh

— Harneet Singh (@Harneetsin) June 28, 2015

 

I for one am shocked, shocked that Alok Nath, being a middle aged Indian 'sanskari uncle', has little respect for women and dissent.

Bhavya Khanna (@bhavyakhanna) June 29, 2015

Several of those who called Mr Nath out for his comment also opposed Ms Krishnan's views. Comedy collective AIB's Rohan Joshi explained it best:
 

But calling someone a bitch never solved anything.

Rohan (@mojorojo) June 29, 2015

 

Unless you're in a quiz where the question is "What is a female dog?" In which case, "bitchquot; quite literally solves everything.

Rohan (@mojorojo) June 29, 2015

 

But that's a very specific example, and I'm pretty sure Alok Nath wasn't in a quiz. Irrespective of Ms Krishnan's odd barb

Rohan (@mojorojo) June 29, 2015

Meanwhile, the hashtag spawned a veritable game of trolls. Actress Shruti Seth found herself at the receiving end of wholesale vitriol after these tweets:
 

A selfie is not a device to bring about change Mr. PM Try reform. #selfieobsessedPM https://t.co/DTs9gP2H2n

— Shruti Seth (@SethShruti) June 28, 2015

 

Those defending the #selfie plan by the PM FYI change is needed in the illiterate parts where no front facing camera phones exist Think

Shruti Seth (@SethShruti) June 28, 2015

 

Seriously get over your selfie obsession Mr. PM. Be more than a photograph. Come on! https://t.co/xybGd5dbt6

Shruti Seth (@SethShruti) June 28, 2015

In abuse of the vilest sort, the 37-year-old actress was described as a 'bitch' and accused of being publicity-hungry and even treason.



The Fanaa actress responded to several of those heaping abuse on her and finally signed off with this tweet on Monday:
 

Ok now I'm bored of you trolls. Moving on to do better things with my day. But don't let that stop you guys. Carry on with my blessings Bye

Shruti Seth (@SethShruti) June 29, 2015

Her confrontation of the trolls won her praise from several quarters, like this tweet shows:
 

This Shruti Seth came from nowhere and is already a boss!

Baba Manhattani (@BabaGlocal) June 29, 2015