India: Relentless Casteist Abuse by Trolls Against Manisha Mondal Calls for Immediate Action
Women Press Freedom condemns abusive behavior that highlights deeply entrenched casteism
Location: India, New Delhi
Date: May 22, 2024
Women Press Freedom condemns the utterly reprehensible casteist abuse targeting The Print’s photojournalist Manisha Mondal. The journalist was subjected to caste-based abuse and body shaming in response to their personal essay about using dating apps as a Dalit person. The harassment and relentless trolling that Mondal has endured are unacceptable. This is not the first time Mondal has been targeted for her identity. Women Press Freedom has uncovered that Mondal has faced discrimination and hate before, but this time the situation has escalated, endangering the reporter’s safety. This caste-based abuse should serve as a wake-up call for all social media platforms to enforce strict measures against nameless and faceless trolls who hide behind screens to harass marginalized people, especially women and non-binary people. We further demand that authorities in India take strict action against all those involved in the abuse meted out towards the senior journalist. These perpetrators must be held accountable for their actions.
Manisha Mondal’s article, “Being Dalit on a dating app. Upper caste men only want to argue over reservation, EWS,” highlighted the discrimination and anti-reservation sentiments she encountered on online dating platforms. Mondal’s essay detailed their experience of being rejected and ghosted by upper class men after seeing their profile and bio that read 'Namasudra Dalit, West Bengal'. Following the publication, trolls attacked her based on her caste identity and appearance instead of engaging with her lived experiences. The distasteful behavior highlights the deeply entrenched casteism that persists in India, propagating marginalization and discrimination towards its already suppressed communities.
One of Mondal's reporter friends in New Delhi—who wished to remain anonymous—tells Women Press Freedom that this was not the first time Mondal had been attacked for their identity and appearance.
“Reservation on caste has always been a debatable issue, and the upper caste has always used this to demean other communities and castes. It was not a shock that this article was received with such vitriol,” she says.
The journalist revealed that the trolling began after Rishi Bagree, a Bharatiya Janata Party IT Cell member, tweeted the article along with Mondal’s photographs. Bagree’s followers began reposting it vigorously.
“It then got out of hand within three to four days. It’s become criminal at this point.”
When asked about the impact of the trolling on Mondal’s mental health, their friend said it has been hard on them.
“When it became very bad, I could sense some stress and anxiety because of how the situation escalated. At one point, they asked me, ‘what did I do?’. That is how trolls work, as they overpower you so much that you start questioning your own worth,” she said.
The journalist says Mondal as a strong, brilliant, and beautiful person, who is keeping it together, despite the situation and that the reporter is still considering what to do next if the situation doesn’t die down.
After Mondal’s trolling and harassment intensified, The Print issued a statement highlighting their concern for their reporter’s safety following the “vile, casteist comments.”
“They are sexist, objectionable, often bordering on criminality. Their attacks also put our reporter at risk. We are making a record of this. If the behavior continues, we will report the handles.”
The Delhi-based reporter, who spoke with Women Press Freedom, maintained that the use of personal photos to demean an individual in India has been happening for a while. However, this, in this situation it was vile and really pathetic how Mondal’s photos were used.
“It is dangerous and criminal because these trolls are nameless and faceless. It is a mob. The way mob lynching is happening in India. It is at such a persistent level. Same is the case with online trolling,” says the journalist, adding that these unemployed trolls are hired by BJP IT Cell and given a certain amount to spew vile words and hatred.
“With deepfake and AI so much is happening, and the way they demean a woman and how everything comes down to her identity shows that India is far behind, and these trolls are the vilest being right now on the internet. I feel it is dangerous and not safe for women to bring out their personal information out there,” she adds.
Women Press Freedom reiterates its demand for ensuring accountability for the trollers and harassers targeting Manisha Monda. We extend our solidarity towards Manisha Mondal and denounce the abuse she has been facing since her article went online. The situation demands immediate action from Indian authorities. Many of the perpetrators are easily identifiable on social media platforms, and we ask that they be punished accordingly. The Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is applicable here, and its proper enforcement is crucial. Cyber harassment is a serious issue that affects especially women and non-binary journalists; it is time for Indian authorities to take decisive action to ensure their safety and dignity.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.