Singer Chinmayi says cyber bullying and abuse can drive a person to suicide

While many rejoiced the banishing of Section 66A, singer Chinmayi seems to have a different opinion regarding the issue

Section 66A of the Information and Technology Act was struck down by the Supreme Court (SC) and many people rejoiced as it upheld freedom of speech online. According to the Supreme Court, the section was unconstitutional as it affects the people’s right to freedom of speech and expression. However, some celebrities are not very pleased with the verdict as cyber bullying and abuse is a reality which they face in their daily lives.

Singer Chinmayi has faced serious cyber bullying and abuse in the past on social media which forced her to take legal action against the abusers. She took to Twitter post the SC’s decision to express her thoughts on this decision, saying, “I am for upholding free speech and expression but lawmakers and the people need to understand cyber bullying and abuse is a serious problem. If I weren’t strong in my head and likewise with my mom, with support from people, some of the tweeters would have driven me to suicide. Incessant abuse, circulating slander that I abused oppressed communities and fishermen – never mind the number of naive people who believed that I could have said things like this. People jumped into the wagon for fame. Others watched silently. Since the educated, ‘cultured’ Tamil people on Twitter could only watch the show, we sought legal help. I am proud of it. People like the ones who abused me deserved punishment and 3 years was a long time. Life eventually has to give them a lot more too. ”

Other celebs meanwhile supported the SC’s decision to strike down the section. Actress and politician Khushbu, who is very vocal about issues, took to social media to say, “#SC gives a landmark judgment in scrapping section 66A. In a country whr democracy is thy name, we wr stifling ppl frm the same.” Khushbu has also been exposed to cyber bullying and extensive abuse and has also sought legal and filed police complaints. However, she feels that in a democracy one can’t curtail speech. Meanwhile, it’s not just celebs but even the average person who faces abuse on social media.

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