When Words Are Twisted And The Trolls Attack

Someone rightly said that we are passing through a polarising social and political phase in the country. People are becoming extremely intolerant, especially people in various powerful positions. Reactions hurled on Twitter from various paid trolls see abuse, threats and ridicule with the choicest of insults thrown at celebrities or anyone who differs with a narrative set aside from what is the "right thing to say, to speak or to wear ". These trolls tolerate only with what they think is right.

Social media is going through a heightened politicised polarisation. So one can't be neutral. Ideologies are forced upon you. You are either with "us" or "them".

Some people nurture venomous hatred inside them which takes the form of abusive outrage when challenged. These journalists, commentators - members of our so-called intelligentsia (some of those who are openly affiliated with either A particular political party or another - cry foul on the "lack of freedom of speech" but are the first to resort to targeted personal attacks and vile abuses whenever they see an influencer who is non-aligned and refuses to subscribe to their narrative.

The mask of neutrality and sophistication falls off and they are revealed as lowly, judgmental trolls for whom nothing is out of bounds, be it commenting on the looks or the IQ of the subject of their interest. This is not to say that criticism is unwelcome. Democracy thrives on debate and dissent, but there's a difference between healthy debating of ideas and cheap personal attacks invoking someone's caste or level of education.

Isn't it wrong to criticise professional capabilities of someone who has probably achieved much more than what some of these self-proclaimed queens of Twitterati have? Isn't it unethical to twist words, take it out context and turn it into what they "assume" one meant?

Sadly, this cabal has become boringly predictable. Their actions have fallen into a template. The habitual offenders spew vicious invective against celebrities, sportspersons, industrialists who do not conform to their views.

They get exposed every time there is a controversy which, ironically, is usually created by this very cabal twisting words out of context. They instigate, provoke, and when met with backlash, promptly pull out the victim card.

Their frustration in losing agency is pushing them so over the edge that they have lost their moorings with reality. They claim to be champions of free speech but cannot tolerate even a simple difference of opinion. One is left wondering how anyone can be at peace while living in a state of perpetual negativity.

At the root of their insecurity lies a fear of becoming inconsequential. Sadly they are only exposing themselves as a pathetic, bitter lot who at a mass level are perceived as only abusive trolls. An achiever shall always be recognised for his or her achievements and will always enjoy the love of the people. This cabal, sadly, only has trolling to remain relevant in this world of social media.

(Raveena Tandon is an actor, producer, social worker and activist. She also comments on current affairs.)

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