Even death could not silence her words, People seem to get some animalistic joy in trolling: Prakash Raj

Even Death Could Not Silence Her Words

Indian Express
report on the Book Release Function (Kolimi Ravvalu Gouri Lankesh Rachanalu Telugu version of The Way I See It)
held at Lamakaan, BanjaraHills, Hyderabad on 28-11-2017,

Links:

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/1448076/The-New-Indian-Express-Hyderabad/29-11-2017#page/19

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/1448076/The-New-Indian-Express-Hyderabad/29-11-2017#page/21

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The Times of India 30 Nov 2017

People seem to get some animalistic joy in trolling:

Prakash Raj

Sunayana.Suresh@timesgroup.com

Actor-filmmaker-activist Prakash Raj,who has openly condemned the murder of senior journalistactivist and friend Gauri Lankesh, was in the city to launch a book on the latter. At the event, an emotional Prakash Raj spoke about his close connection with the journalist-activist and recalled his memories of her that stayed with him.

Prakash Raj,who started the debate on intolerance following the murder, is never the one to keep silent. He always voices his opinions, which often gets people to troll him online and offline. While he has,thus far,endured most of it,when MP Pratap Sinha recently made unsavoury remarks online in what appeared to be a personal attack, Prakash took a bold step by sending out a notice citing defamation. We spoke to Prakash to understand what he thinks of trolling, which is rampant today. Excerpts...

I WANT TO SEND OUT A STRONG MESSAGE TO PEOPLE WHO TROLL

As a citizen, I feel trolling in all fields has become too much. It has reached unstoppable levels and is even affecting people talking offline with everyone being threatened. As a citizen of this country, I felt that I should address this topic, as most of these people hide behind masks. When an elected MP also resorts to trolling, a legal notice sends out a strong message to people who troll. I want to make it clear that in this country, we can’t take this unhealthy trend of trying to stop voices and abuse dissent. My act should empower every citizen and reinforce the fact that they have the freedom to express, and no one has the power to stop them. Be it on social media or otherwise. Women and youngsters are afraid to talk. This is because the trolls never stop and no one is ready to ask them questions.

I HOPE TO ENSURE OUR RIGHTS AS CITIZENS ARE UPHELD

These trolls don’t want to discuss or debate today. They just want solutions. They have realised that trolling keeps people silent. The sad part is that these trolls aren’t even a majority, yet it is empowering them to have their own way. People seem to get some animalistic joy in trolling. This is not acceptable. One cannot jump to solutions directly, there needs to be a debate. This is not just political trolling. We have it in cinema. We also see it in everyday spaces like offices. So, people opt to keep quiet, rather than be hit below the belt with comments.

I am not such a person. As a citizen, I want to ensure our rights are upheld. It is important to raise your voice against trolls. They need to be told that there are laws . One needs to put pressure on these trolls and show them that we are not going to bow down and that there is a movement to voice what is right.

TROLLS HAVE REALISED THAT 

TROLLING KEEPS PEOPLE SILENT. 

THE SAD PART IS THAT THESE TROLLS AREN’T EVEN A MAJORITY

— Prakash Raj, actor