Arvind Kejriwal and his supporters set the bars lower in basic human decency with each passing day. The current stand-off between the Delhi CM and the Delhi LG has reached such a stage where the AAP supporters have taken to harassing IAS officers on Twitter, taking pride in the fact that they are ‘trolling’ them. We had earlier reported how AAP supporters, in a rally, asked for ‘dismissal’ of Delhi LG Anil Baijal before ‘dismissal’ of former Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee who is undergoing a treatment in AIIMS.
Yesterday, despite not having permission for a march, AAP supporters marched towards the PM residence from Mandi House, spiralling Delhi into utter chaos. If AAP supporters on the streets were busy creating lawlessness, the supporters online were targetting IAS officers and harassing them, accusing them of being ‘BJP agents’.
Despite Joshi pleading them to be patient while she responds, he continues to harass her.
She was being systematically trolled by AAP supporters despite her having given answers to the questions.
Can sympathise. When I’m being trolled systematically by hundreds of people and responding to each of them individually with patience, my TL is messy indeed
— Varsha Joshi (@suraiya95) June 17, 2018
Apologies to you also. I’m being attacked by hundreds of people, and still replying to all of them individually and pleasantly. So yes it took a little time.
— Varsha Joshi (@suraiya95) June 17, 2018
She was also accused of shedding ‘crocodile teas’.
I have replied to each and every question despite being trolled. I’m still talking to you! Why is my warm and friendly attitude to you annoying you?
— Varsha Joshi (@suraiya95) June 17, 2018
And ‘creep’.
We don’t need any diplomatic crap from creeps like you.
Just acknowledge @ArvindKejriwal ‘s offer of peace if you have even an iota of self-respect left.https://t.co/chLFtyj6Ll
— super maniac (@supramaniac) June 17, 2018
‘Journalist’ from ‘The Wire’ Rohini Singh, who had earlier made mathematically and logically challenged conspiracy theories about a business venture by Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah, which eventually resulted in a 100 crore defamation suit filed against The Wire, also asked how is it ‘harassment’ if all AAP supporters are doing is ‘asking questions’.
Ma’am I am intrigued as to why you think asking questions is a threat? Have gone through this entire thread. Bureaucrats are public servants and are therefore accountable! Seeking accountability is not an attack.
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) June 17, 2018
When a woman claims she is being harassed, especially when it is a public forum and it is for all to see, questioning the victim instead of holding the harassers responsible is how the so-called journalists do their jobs.
Over a hundred people May have asked you questions. Were they all abusive? Did they issue rape and sexual violence threats? Did they threaten harm to your family? Did they run a smear campaign against you? Please report them if they did any of these.
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) June 17, 2018
And one AAP suppoter even asked her to get used to trolling if she is on social media.
Why? Why should trolling be normal? We speak so much about safe streets and safe spaces. Why should twitter not be a safe space? Criticism must be constructive. Anyhow, if you have a power/ Transport related issue, pl let me know. Happy to resolve.
— Varsha Joshi (@suraiya95) June 17, 2018
Why shouldn’t there be safe spaces for someone? Just because one is a public servant does not mean you hound them, especially when they have already answered the question they are posing. This ‘get used to trolling if you are on social media’ reeks of rape culture where sexual harassment on streets is normalised by those who believe, ‘if you wear short clothes in public, you should accept harassment’.
She was also accused of having taken favours from her boss.
Yes, i m doing my duty with complete responsibility and integrity and i m not even taking special favours from my boss for my work.
— crimemaster gogo (@logical_sutta) June 17, 2018
And accused of not doing her work, since that is the line of thought Kejriwal has been endorsing since last one week.
I’ve been on earned leave for some days every now and then in the last few months. Apologies, my son had his exams. Also, I sit in Tpt Deptt half the time. Pl send your suggestions to [email protected] we will definitely consider.
— Varsha Joshi (@suraiya95) June 17, 2018
This despite the fact that she claims she has attended all statutory meetings, except when she’s on leave.
Despite her clarifications, he continued hounding her.
Don’t play with words, What is Statuary meeting? Are the IAS officers attending meeting called by Delhi’s people representatives? https://t.co/sJ3msUtVFm
— Kapil (@kapsology) June 17, 2018
Despite a slew of slander and harassment, Varsha Joshi, IAS officer, maintained her calm composure and did not lose her cool even once. Kudos to her for her patience.
