The Delhi’s women’s commission ordered a probe after Virat Kohli-Anushka Sharma’s 9-month-old daughter Vamika received rape threats online. The threats emerged in the wake of the loss India suffered at the hands of a clinical New Zealand at the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup.

This wasn’t the first instance of a relative of Indian cricketer targeted by an irate section of Indian cricket fans. On several instances in the past, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma was targeted by online trollers whenever her husband Virat Kohli failed to perform on the field.

And yet, the instance with Kohli’s daughter being targeted was different. It gave a testimony that online trollers can go to lengths to put their ‘favourite’ players when the chips are down against them.

Contents hide
1. Background
2. The Facts of the Matter
3. “Why this Silliness”: DCW Chairperson Takes Suo Moto Cognizance
4. Where and When it all Started
5. Kohli Stands for Shami, Gets Trolled Harder
6. Kohli Had Stood for Anushka Sharma in 2016

Background

Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Indian history. Over the decades it has united people in their love for their nation and gave them a cause to celebrate when their team won accolades. However, recently a new culture of calling out and targeting family members in the wake of a moderate performance has emerged.

These ‘so-called’ fans take to Twitter or Instagram and use the anonymity these platforms offer to spew their toxicity and hatred. When a toxic fan’s ideology is dissected, all one would see is hatred against other countries, and not love for the sport or the player’s capabilities.

Recently, Virat Kohli stood up against online trollers who trolled Mohammad Shami on the basis of his religion after the loss against Pakistan. Soon, several trollers called Kohli ‘woke’ and instructed him to focus on game rather than indulging into ‘gimmicks.

The Facts of the Matter

A few days after India lost to New Zealand and an army of trollers targeted Virat Kohli’s 9-month-old daughter, Delhi Commission for Women has finally stepped in. The chairperson of the women’s welfare and rights took cognizance on the online rape threats Vamika received. The DCW has directed Delhi DCP (Deputy Commissioner of Police) to file an FIR and carry out investigation to arrest the accused. The DCW has also sought an ‘action taken’ report by November 9.

“Why this Silliness”: DCW Chairperson Takes Suo Moto Cognizance

Taking to Twitter, DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal wrote, “The way Virat Kohli’s 9-month-old daughter was threatened with rape on Twitter is very shameful. This team has made us proud thousands of times, why this silliness in defeat? I have issued notice to Delhi Police, arrest all those who threatened 9 months old girl with rape.

Where and When it all Started

Earlier, a Twitter user with handle name @Criccrazyygirl took to Twitter and issued a gruesome and highly-objectionable rape threat to 9-month-old daughter of Indian team skipper. While the person deleted the tweet, and later the tweet too was deleted, the screenshot of the tweet was amplified by several handles.

Several netizens spoke about how appalling and uncalled for the threats were.

Kohli Stands for Shami, Gets Trolled Harder

The rape threat came at a time when skipper Virat Kohli stood for his teammate Mohammed Shami who was brutally trolled. Shami, a Muslim fast-bowler, was trolled on his religious background after India lost to Pakistan on October.

“To me, attacking someone over their religion is the most pathetic thing that a human being can do,” captain Kohli had said. He further added that he never discriminated anyone on the basis of their religion and claimed that it should be ‘left there’.

He further added, “People take out their frustrations because they have no understanding of what we do as individuals and how much effort we put on the field.”

Kohli Had Stood for Anushka Sharma in 2016

It should be noted that this was not the first time a family member of an Indian team was targeted. Earlier Bollywood actress on several Instances was trolled whenever her husband and Indian team captain Virat Kohli failed on the field.

 

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A post shared by Virat Kohli (@virat.kohli)

In 2016, Virat had stood for her then girlfriend Anushka Sharma and had wrote an elaborate Instagram message where he went on to say, “Think of how your sister or girlfriend or wife would feel if someone trolled them and very conveniently rubbished them in public.”