Hyderabad Incident:
Last week in Andhra Pradesh, a tragic incident unfolded as a 32-year-old woman lost her life in a devastating encounter with a speeding train, as confirmed by the authorities.
The YSR Congress Party, which holds power in Andhra Pradesh, asserted that the woman’s demise was a result of suicide instigated by relentless harassment from the social media units of the Telegu Desam Party (TDP) and the Jana Sena Party (JSP).
During a gathering organized by the YSR Congress Party on March 4, Gothi Geethanjali Devi shared her experience of being granted a plot under the ‘Jagananna Housing Scheme’ initiated by the Andhra Pradesh government.
In a widely circulated video, Geethanjali Devi expressed her gratitude for being a beneficiary of various welfare programs under the governance of Jagan Mohan Reddy. She joyfully exclaimed, “Today, my long-cherished dream has materialized as the house site stands registered in my name. The unexpected nature of this moment fills me with immense happiness,” she proclaimed.
Subsequently, she became a target of online harassment, enduring derogatory remarks from certain individuals on social media platforms.
Following this distressing ordeal, Geethanjali was admitted to Guntur Government Hospital where she eventually succumbed to her injuries.
Left behind are her two school-going daughters, highlighting the tragic aftermath of this unfortunate incident.
According to the police, the relentless cyberbullying took a toll on Geethanjali’s mental well-being, leading her to take the drastic step of jumping in front of a moving train at Tenali Railway Station on March 7. The police stated, “Overwhelmed by the incessant trolling, Geethanjali reportedly chose to end her life by leaping in front of the Janmabhoomi Express.”
Former chairperson of the Andhra Pradesh Women’s Commission, Vasavi Padma, assured that severe measures would be implemented against the social media accounts responsible for targeting Geethanjali.
Geethanjali’s heartfelt declaration of support for Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and her acknowledgment of the government’s assistance schemes resonated deeply. She expressed her unwavering faith in Chief Minister Reddy’s leadership, emphasizing the fulfillment of her aspirations through various government initiatives without any financial burden.
Tragically, the aftermath of this incident saw her video being exploited for political gain by the YSR Congress Party, labeling her as their ‘Star Campaigner of the Day’.
Allegations surfaced suggesting that individuals associated with the TDP and JSP resorted to defamatory tactics, insinuating that Geethanjali had received incentives to deliver favorable statements.
The onslaught of humiliating comments on social media not only affected Geethanjali but also left her family distraught and incensed, with no recourse to counter the malicious narrative.
Authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this untimely demise, categorizing it as an unnatural death.
The prevalence of malicious social media trolling, particularly instigated by political factions, has raised concerns in Andhra Pradesh, with women journalists frequently becoming targets of sexist and threatening online attacks.