Dubai - Trolls are a modern-day menace, but I treat them like flies, says Shobhaa De.
Published: Tue 23 Aug 2016, 1:52 PM
Last updated: Wed 24 Aug 2016, 2:30 AM
In an exclusive interview to Khaleej Times, Indian author and cultural icon Shobhaa De fires her salvos on the social media community - in the wake of the trolling following her Olympics tweets
Q: The recent case of online trolling - with many taking to social media to cast their opinions on your takes - that happened during the Olympics: what was your reaction? Did you think it was unfair that you were being targeted for your personal points of view? Or do you believe, in this age of 'public domain is king', you can take it in your stride?
A: In the world of Twitter, there is no such thing as 'fair' or 'unfair'. Everybody in the public space is a potential target. Nobody is spared. That is the nature of the beast. Trolls form a global community. They have nothing to lose. They are free to abuse anybody and everybody, hiding behind anonymity. I never respond to other people's tweets - be it an Amitabh Bachchan or a nobody. I enjoy tweeting. And will continue to tweet as long as I enjoy it. I am not a quitter. And I don't get intimidated by anybody or anything. The recent controversy included. Twitter wars are a waste of time. I never indulge in them. With a bow in the direction of former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, Raghuram Rajan, I say, "I tweet what I tweet. And I am who I am." I express opinions. I don't abuse, name call or insult anybody. As far as I know, that's not a crime!
Q: You have always spoken your mind, and, many a time, faced negative reactions. And to your credit, you've never really backed down, and continued speaking your mind. What do you have to say about that?
A: The question of "backing down" arises if what you have said is factually wrong. Or what you've stated has led to violence or a law-and-order situation. That is not the case with me. If some people find one woman's frank opinion that threatening, that woman must be doing something right! Trolls have nothing better to do - than abuse high-profile individuals and hope the abuse makes them famous. They are a modern-day menace. But I treat them like flies. minor irritants. I don't waste my energy swatting them, either. Trolls belong to a universe of hate. I am a positive person - so, I refuse to participate in troll dialogues. The thing is, as an independent voice, I carry no baggage. Movie stars need a constituency as desperately as politicians. I am not looking for numbers to validate my existence. I am entirely non-aligned and free. I am not looking for rewards, awards, recognition or patronage. This is my strength. Public figures who have spoken against my Olympics tweet are uniformly beholden to the powers-that-be. Their status is linked to being on the right side of the establishment. In that sense, they are enslaved. I feel sorry for them.
Q: Would you (similarly) engage in an online exchange if someone posted something you felt was objectionable - or would you just let it be with "to each his/her own"?
A: I am very much a 'live and let live' person. "To each his/her own" has always been my attitude. I rush to defend the defenceless and the voiceless, whenever I feel my opinion makes a difference. As for the rest, they can row their own boat. I have never used my 'friends in media' (ha!) to mobilise support. I am capable of fighting my own battles.
Q: Do you agree that celebrities are often the target of such attacks? If so, why?
A: Attacking a celebrity gives cowards a big thrill. It makes them feel powerful and relevant. There are far bigger issues at stake in India than one woman talking about athletes taking selfies or coming back 'khaali haath' (empty-handed). But those issues don't generate this level of publicity for trolls seeking instant attention.
Q: Extending the above question, do you feel celebrity women - who are not apologetic about their stands - are more likely to be targeted?
A: Well, as I have frequently stated, there are three cards I never play: The Woman Card, the Victim Card and the Martyr Card. Outspoken women make soft targets, no doubt. But so do vulnerable men - writers like Perumal Murugan announced his literary death for being publicly attacked. In my case, since I am not easy to categorise or pigeonhole, it's just simpler to try and put me down as an "elitist socialite". Being identified as an elitist individual is the new crime in India.
Q: At a personal level, does this kind of trolling disturb you?
A: Yes and no. It disturbs me that this level of hate, negativity, ugliness, aggression exists out there. After all, I had not committed a murder, embezzled funds, indulged in criminal activity, disgraced myself on any level. I had merely expressed an opinion! Perhaps, in today's hyper touchy social environment, it's the same thing!
Q: Social media has bestowed upon us the right to say anything, anywhere. How can be this be channelised in a more constructive manner?
A: Social media is the most important cultural revolution to have transformed the world since the Renaissance or the Industrial Revolution. We need social scientists to study this phenomenon more closely and deconstruct it for us. Its long-term ramifications are immense and unknown at this point. We are too close to it to understand its impact on our lives. It can be channelised during emergencies to save lives. It can engage, inform and entertain. It is possible to use these platforms in a positive way to spread knowledge, share information, better our lives. I am sure we will find the right balance eventually.
Q: You are very active on social media. What are the best things about these platforms? And the worst?
A: On the whole, it's a win-win situation. If you are not on social media, you don't exist! It's a potent tool that connects us all. How you choose to use it, is in your hands.
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