Online trolling against women will be considered as violence: Maneka Gandhi

Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi expressed her concern on Tuesday over the “tremendous viciousness” that women have to deal with online and announced that cyber trolling would henceforth be considered as violence, according to a report by NDTV. [caption id=“attachment_2786734” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Maneka Gandhi. AFP[/caption] The report further said that a journalist’s complaint had brought out the problems faced by women online. The Asian Age reported that Gandhi also accused the police of incompetence in the 28 April murder and rape of a Dalit woman in Kerela. The Asian Age further reported her as saying, “Even after the victim had complained to the police about a neighbour who threatened her with rape, the police didn’t care to act. It considered it as a case of eve-teasing instead.” Gandhi’s remarks came a day after UPSC topper Tina Dabi posted a status on Facebook requesting everyone to report any fake profile of hers. She is also a victim of online trolling. Through a WhatsApp message, Dabi was alerted about 35 fake profiles of her that had sprung up on Facebook after the UPSC results were declared, according to a report by CNN-News18. Each account carried her photo with either her parents or Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as profile pictures. Dabi clarified on Facebook that “none of the ridiculous statements being made under my name are my opinions.” She was distressed over the fact that “these profiles are quoting someone else and attributing it to me,” according to a report by The Indian Express.