Singer Sona Mohapatra's Instagram post of a deity in response to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat's controversial remark that wearing of ripped jeans leads to societal breakdown attracted much backlash, with some users issuing what she termed as "nasty threats."
Posting the image of the goddess, the singer had written: "Are my knees Sanskaari enough to show to the world? "
What followed was a barrage of threats, intimidation and cyberbullying, but she refused to relent and take the post down.
She took to Twitter to reveal that she blocked many people after they turned abusive over the post and added that she "won’t hesitate in taking a couple to jail for bullying, intimidation and all else."
This post of mine on Instagram has been getting endless, nasty threats. I’ve blocked many & won’t hesitate in taking a couple to jail for bullying, intimidation & all else. These protectors of dharma & our ‘culture’ don’t realise my commitment to do it better than them. 🧚🏿♀️🔴 pic.twitter.com/KFOXrQ8xZu
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) March 20, 2021
On Wednesday, she said "protectors of ‘dharma’ continue to threaten, bully and write hate messages," even five days after the post. Attaching a screenshot of the messages she received on Instagram, she tweeted: "I’ve blocked & reported over 100 today. On Twitter, I’m trolled with the words ‘Sanghi’ & on Instagram; ‘Hindu-Phobic’. Face with monocle. Interesting."
Five days later, the protectors of ‘dharma’ apparently, continue to threaten, bully & write hate messages like these. 👇🏾I’ve blocked & reported over 100 today. On Twitter, I’m trolled with the words ‘Sanghi’ & on Instagram; ‘Hindu-Phobic’. 🧐. Interesting. pic.twitter.com/W8l7eiRhBh
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) March 24, 2021
When one of the users asked her is she finds only Hindu gods and goddesses as "an example to teach lesson to anybody," she replied saying," I am a Hindu. The ‘God & Goddesses’ are as much mine."
I am a Hindu. The ‘God & Goddesses’ are as much mine. I have a deep & personal relationship with them, I love them & they bless me in return & are happy to feature on my timeline. Also, it’s none of your business. Don’t understand or like a lesson? Go elsewhere or Fly a kite. https://t.co/H0CIE5yxN0
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) March 25, 2021
She also requested Mumbai Police to look into the threats and the warning that her social media accounts would be hacked.
The threats on my Instagram include life threats @MumbaiPolice ,threats to hack into all my accounts,threats to file FIR’s in my name for ‘hurting religious sentiments’ apart from slurs, hate https://t.co/rIanVLD3GB is a consolidated group attack.I have turned off my comments.
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) March 25, 2021
