Indian government steps up efforts to check online trolling against women

India's women and child development ministry has announced that it will take strict action against those trolling and posting abusive remarks against women online.  

Last month, Indian singer Sona Mohapatra found herself being attacked by online trolls after she criticised Bollywood actor Salman Khan for using the analogy of rape for his gruelling shooting schedule. 

Taking note of the rising number of similar incidents, the Indian government is finally cracking down on online trolling and harassment faced by women. 

“Are you a woman who is trolled or abused? Inform me at [email protected],” Women and Child Development minister, Maneka Gandhi, tweeted. She has also asked the National Commission for Women to monitor instances of women being trolled and asked for a separate department to deal with online abuse.

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Gandhi told reporters that her tweet was in response to the abuse faced by Mohapatra. “This particular troll who harassed the singer online came to our notice this morning. We have contacted Twitter and got this person off it,” Gandhi said. “There is too much filth online.”

In the past, Gandhi has said that online attacks against women must be treated as violence. In June, Gandhi's ministry had introduced an advisory which asked matrimonial websites to authenticate users after complaints of cyber stalking, fake profiles and cheating.

Ironically Gandhi's tweet was met with some more trolling.

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