Noted journalist Barkha Dutt on Monday revealed that she had been receiving threatening calls and explicit pictures on phone and Twitter and WhatsApp. Dutt also took the unprecedented step of publicising the phone numbers of individuals allegedly sending such messages.
Dutt, who has been a constant target of the ire of rightwing groups throughout her career, had, on Sunday, posted on Twitter that, “her doors were open to any Kashmiris who need help or feel vulnerable”. The message came amid reports that ethnic Kashmiris in some parts of India were being harassed over the Pulwama attack.
Deluged with what's app messages since yesterday that are abusive and threatening. Seems an organized hate campaign against some of us. One sender confirms my mobile number being circulated in groups. @DelhiPolice bringing this to your attention. pic.twitter.com/7FAfPoYmm4
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) February 18, 2019
Early on Monday morning, Dutt posted on her Twitter account she was closing her direct message facility to general access, claiming, “Its been unfortunately hijacked by the abusive mob and they have shown themselves up to be the scum that they are.”
Dutt also tweeted that she was deluged by abusive WhatsApp messages in what she called an “organised hate campaign”. Dutt said one sender claimed her phone number was being circulated on WhatsApp groups. In a series of tweets, Dutt shared over a dozen numbers from which she received abusive calls and even explicit images of male genitalia.
Thank you Madhur. I have a list of 20 numbers that have stalked me since yesterday. I would like to add all numbers to my FIR. https://t.co/JCC5DG2ADw
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) February 18, 2019
Dutt tagged Madhur Verma, the DCP of New Delhi district, in her tweets. In a tweet to Verma, Dutt said she had a list of “20 numbers that had stalked her since yesterday (Sunday)” that she wanted to add to her FIR. Dutt also tagged Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to highlight the harassment she had been facing. Dutt has spoken out against trolling and threats from rightwing handles over the past several years.
Dutt was not the only journalist to complain of abuse via phone on Monday. Noted Hindi language journalist Abhisar Sharma complained to police in Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai about threats made to him and his family. Sharma, too, has been targeted by rightwing groups over his consistent criticism of the Narendra Mod government's policies.
Like Dutt, Sharma also publicised screenshots of those abusing him on Twitter. Moreover, Sharma also alleged the "IT Cell" was targeting him, in an apparent reference to the BJP's social media operations.
