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Forty-three per cent of the respondents to a query put by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on twitter approved of trolling and online abuse. It is no less than a blessing that those who were not in favour of trolling had the majority in this case as well. But those who voted in favour of abuse on social media, a sizeable segment, reflect the reality. It is that segment among us which, given the opportunity, would let the beast within have the say. The relative anonymity and distance that the internet offers gives free rein to the dictates of subconscious urges, which is why many are bolder on the internet than they are in person. The lack of physical proximity, recognition or contact offers them the feeling of security they need to be abusive. The situation is reflective of the pervasive culture of bullying across the different segments of society. This kind of anonymous venom spewing may not be limited to India but it is growing faster in this country when compared to others. There is no doubt that these are acts of cowardly and insecure people whose numbers, obviously, are increasing. Their inability to achieve anything worthwhile in personal lives makes them bitter and spiteful towards those who, they feel, have reached certain levels of success. This also shows the country is still mentally not free from the effects of slavery and domination. There still exists the potent urge to see someone suffer without actually being blamed or identified as the cause for the pain or accepting punishment for the action. Trolls are very well aware that they are incapable of causing any physical pain to their objects of hate. Although generalisations are unjust, it would not be wrong to postulate, based on larger heft of evidence, that it is the middle class that is more prone to such schadenfreude than the less fortunate sections. The chief reason for this is that they are alien to privations and pain that the lower strata of society are accustomed to. However, cases of rape and mutilation of bodies among the not so well to do, particularly the rape of minor girls, is indicative of a rapid spread of insensitivity to the lower strata of society. It is a worrying scenario as these criminal tendencies are probably being sown among the deprived by dint of suffering itself. It is possible that the widening rich-poor divide has immured the downtrodden to the consequences of inflicting pain or committing serious crimes. Frequent such incidents are indicative of a critical breakdown in social order. These must be read with serious concern before it becomes widespread and goes out of control. India has been named as the country that is most unsafe for women. It may be a hasty conclusion drawn out of data that is not representative. But the rising instances of rape and abuse of girls and women, or perhaps the reporting of such instances, gives credence to such rankings. While many blame the reporting, it is also to be accepted that reports are based on facts. The kind of brutality that is being exhibited today by the rapists, many of whom are young men indulging in such abominable acts individually or in groups, is unprecedented. If the cause for such violations is an increasingly sexually frustrated populace, it needs to be understood whether the emerging paradigms of sexual equality are merely reinforcing another form of sexual supremacy. It must be analysed whether we are creating a society full of men who fear or detest the opposite sex. While questions are being raised about the objectification of females, it can also be seen that women cannot be blamed for themselves choosing the devices designed by males to objectify them. We need to understand the psychological and social factors at play in creating such a devastating situation before any remedy can be sought. In this over-populated country, however, it is well nigh impossible to conduct large scale social behavioural studies and later act on the outcomes. There is, presently, no social or governmental machinery to carry forward such a large behaviour altering exercise. We need to think and act fast. Else, our insensitivity will pave the way to our doom.
