Nishtha Gautam, a prominent journalist and author, has bravely shared her experience of online harassment on LinkedIn, shedding light on the persistent issue of digital abuse faced by women. Her story highlights how even individuals with professional and personal privileges can be vulnerable to harassment in online spaces.
The harassment began innocently enough with a connection request followed by polite messages. However, the situation quickly escalated into a series of inappropriate direct messages from a man named Tulsi Kumar. Despite Gautam’s attempts to ignore him, the harassment continued, extending to her Instagram account, where Kumar started leaving unsolicited comments.
In a powerful LinkedIn post, Gautam expressed her frustration and anger. She wrote, “I’ll be 39 in exactly 10 days. I’m a mother of two daughters—21 and 15. I have all the privileges that you can count—caste, class, religion, skin colour, education everything. My LinkedIn profile is for everyone to see and assess my professional standing. Yet, I’m utterly helpless and I don’t know anymore when this will stop. The screenshots are self explanatory.”
Gautam’s post was a call to action, challenging the “not all men” defense often used to dismiss the issue of online harassment. ““Not all men” tribe, sit down. Unless YOU wake up to such bullshit from random stranger women in your professional account’s inbox routinely, don’t even think of making your case,” she wrote. She also expressed frustration with LinkedIn’s lack of adequate reporting tools for harassment, calling into question the effectiveness of digital safety measures.
Gautam’s experience resonated with her online community, who offered their support and empathy. One user wrote, “Creeps like these, who shamelessly use ‘Tulsi’ in their names need to be deweeded the way they understand. Sorry you had to go through this, but yes, this is a violation of your privacy, and a crime – digital abuse… Report him to be caught & faced with a punishment he deserves.” Another user highlighted the larger issue, stating, “Your openness in sharing this experience, while painful, also sheds light on a critical issue that far too many women face in digital spaces. The fact that this behavior persists despite all the social and professional progress we’ve made is maddening, and it’s understandable why you feel so frustrated and violated.”
Gautam’s story serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for increased awareness and action to combat online harassment. It emphasizes the importance of strengthening digital safety measures and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. Her brave decision to speak out publicly empowers other victims and fosters a dialogue essential for creating safer online spaces for all.
