Journalist Rana Ayyub faces targeted harassment after right-wing handle shares her number online
Mumbai: Renowned journalist and author Rana Ayyub faced a disturbing wave of targeted harassment after a Twitter account, known as ‘The Hindutva Knight,’ allegedly shared her personal phone number online, urging its followers to contact her. Ayyub, known for her investigative journalism and outspoken critiques of right-wing politics, reported receiving a relentless stream of calls, video calls, and obscene messages throughout the night, leaving her and her family in distress and without rest.
Around 1:15 am, Ayyub’s phone began ringing incessantly, as people sent abusive messages and calls, with some even attempting to video-call her in the early hours. She took to social media to express her anguish, describing the night as a "nightmare," as she endured targeted harassment by supporters of the right-wing handle.
In a tweet tagging Mumbai Police, the National Commission for Women (NCW), and Mumbai's cybercrime unit, Ayyub wrote, “I have lived a nightmare. This right-wing handle posted my number on Twitter… My phone did not stop ringing through the night… Is this how you plan to protect women, is this how women must feel safe in the country?”
Ayyub is an award-winning journalist, whose work has brought to light critical issues within the Indian political landscape. She is best known for her investigative reporting on sensitive topics, including her extensive investigation into alleged misconduct in Gujarat during 2002, published in her bestselling book Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover-Up. Ayyub’s courage in challenging powerful figures and exposing controversial matters has earned her respect internationally, while also making her a frequent target of right-wing trolls and critics, who often attempt to silence or intimidate her through online abuse.
In her social media statement, Ayyub highlighted the growing issue of targeted online harassment of women in India, noting that her experience reflects a broader culture of intimidation that aims to silence female voices, especially those that question the status quo. She questioned the effectiveness of authorities, pointing out that despite numerous complaints to the Mumbai Police in the past, similar attacks persist. "If this can happen to me, a woman with a public profile," she stated, "I shudder to think what happens to women who might not have my privilege or platform."
Ayyub’s experience brings to light the challenges faced by women journalists in India, especially those who address politically sensitive issues. Many women in media, particularly those who critique right-wing ideologies, report receiving abuse, threats, and other forms of harassment as part of a disturbing pattern of online attacks that often go unchecked.
I have lived a nightmare. At around 1 am tonight, this right wing handle posted my number on twitter, asked his followers to text me. My phone did not stop ringing through the night. Video calls, obscene Whats app msgs. Hello @MumbaiPolice @NCWIndia, this was targeted harassment pic.twitter.com/3LOc1BaO1Z
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) November 8, 2024
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Op Sindoor: Terrorists will think 100 times before acting, says Pahalgam victim Narwal's father
Chandigarh, May 7 (PTI): Pahalgam terror attack victim Lt Vinay Narwal's father, Rajesh Narwal, on Wednesday hailed India's response and said the Modi government has sent a strong message and now the perpetrators of the April 22 attack "will think 100 times" before repeating such attacks in the future.
Retaliating against the terror attack, Indian armed forces on early Wednesday carried out missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base in Muridke.
"When this (Pahalgam) incident happened, even then you (media) came to my home and asked what I expected from the government. My answer was that I had faith in our government. And today, the government has justified that trust," Rajesh Narwal told reporters at his residence in Karnal.
"I had said that such a thing (retaliatory strikes) has to be done so that no one dares to do such a cowardly act again...the strikes carried out on the terror targets (in Pak and PoK) will resonate in their minds forever.
Responding to a question on the mission's name, Rajesh said, "This operation has been aptly named Operation Sindoor."
Earlier, when Vinay Narwal's mother, Asha, was asked to comment about India's response to the Pahalgam incident, she told reporters, "It is a very good thing that (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi has avenged the (Pahalgam) attack. I am with them (the government), people are with them, and our entire family is with them".
"I want to tell our Army to give a befitting reply so that such incidents (like Pahalgam) do not occur again," she said and added that those who got martyred have got justice.
Married about three weeks ago, Narwal (26), accompanied by his wife Himanshi, was on a honeymoon in south Kashmir's Pahalgam town when terrorists shot him at point blank, an incident in which 25 others, mostly tourists, were also killed.
Karnal, Haryana: Father of Navy officer Vinay Narwal's Rajesh Narwal on #OperationSindoor says, "When this incident happened, even at that time you came home and asked me what I expected from the government. And my clear answer was that I have complete trust in the Indian… pic.twitter.com/eYPVFP6YIK
— IANS (@ians_india) May 7, 2025
