Sadhvi Saraswati, the president of Sanatan Dharma Parivar Seva Samiti, addressed a convention in Kerala, discouraging people to eat beef. Following which, her Facebook page has been inundated with messages from some Malayalis who have been sending her beef recipes as well as images of raw meat.
However, while sharing the story on the Malayalis who took sadistic pleasure in sending beef/meat images to Sadhvi Saraswati, The News Minute editor-in-chief Dhanya Rajendran used to ‘tears rolling down the cheeks’ laughing emoji to show her happiness and amusement at the same.
Rajendran, however, was called out for her insensitivity:
Is this really a joke that you are laughing? A sadhvi was sent a photo of Beef, would you be same insensitive if a Maulvi was sent a photo of Pork? Have some shame Lady!
Thou shall never make your hate apparent!!
— Vikrant (@vikrantkumar) May 1, 2018
What’s so funny? Is Kerla separate Nation? You can mock hindu and their saints and then laugh? Have you lost your sense? Disgusting https://t.co/xp7m022woj
— संवैधानिक डकैत (@Shivam_h9) May 1, 2018
Mata Amritanandamayi, swami Chinmayananada, Narayan Guruji all from Kerala who preach/ed abt Gau Seva. I dare you to speak against them. By the way Shankaracharya was born in Kerala too. So much apathy for Hindus only?
— Jai Shri Ram (@sharmabrr) May 1, 2018
The News Minute also got backlash for lack of objectivity in reporting the story and legitimizing the trolls:
Here @thenewsminute is objectively reporting on how a Hindu Sadhvi was offered Beef by peaceful people of Kerala coz she dared to speak about the topic in the state. Brilliant selection of peaceful messages to feature in the piece! Kudos @dhanyarajendranpic.twitter.com/Tc2qOn32fA
— Pratyasha Rath (@pratyasharath) May 1, 2018
Many users pointed out that a plethora of messages sent to the Sadhvi were obscene sexist and downright criminal, but somehow The News Minute and their editor found it funny:
” She is sexy. I want to tear her apart. ”
” I @#$& you ”
These are some of the comments on the Sanyasin’s FB page sent by Jihadis and their Marxist bootlickers.
And @thenewsminute is celebrating these as a Malayali response. pic.twitter.com/NABnQtUoVw— Spartan (@PartyVillage017) May 1, 2018
While deriding Hindus’ religious faith is not a new phenomenon in the Media, it is indeed surprising to see a new age platform show such insensitivity towards a young woman being subjected to online harassment.