She has become an overnight sensation — Namithaa J, a Chennai-based LGBT activist, who asserted on a vernacular debate show that if it was not social taboo for a man to drink, it should not be for a woman, either.
Questioning and trashing the beliefs of the men on the show, she became a hit among women who wish to voice themselves. However, assumptions that she’s a frequent drinker, the fact that she’s pro-LGBT and a feminist, has been splashed all over social media in the form of memes and videos, since the show aired! Whatsapp groups have been spammed with photos of her, captioned with hate messages by young men, insinuating that she’s now been branded as a ‘hate figure’ — did she expect such repercussions?
“I had no clue the talk show would create such a commotion — for me, it was just another day, just another debate. I am still trying to tell myself it’s not that big a deal,” says Namithaa. “It’s actually confusing to see my face splashed all over social media,” adds this 22-year-old, who in reality prefers keeping her personal life to herself.
Neenga yen thanni adikkuringa, adhu ungaloda sottha? (Why do you drink, is it your birth right) — was her statement with the most impact. “I’m not here to promote alcohol, but break the stereotype of ‘I can do it but you cant’.” This has made men from all walks of life look at her as a threat — “They’re probably pointing me out as an example of everything that is wrong with a modern woman. However, what I expressed was that social evils should equally hold true for men, as well as women. Why the double standard?” she questions.
One of the boys in the show said he trusts women who wear traditional clothes more than modern ones. “But if we wear a traditional dhavani or sari with six inches of our midriff revealed, won’t we be groped?” she questions.
The problem is that men are unable to accept women for who they are, and that makes them angry. It is as absurd as a person on a diet getting angry with someone eating a donut in front of them!” This misogyny makes her disillusioned. “Why fight me, rather than the social evil of gender ignorance? As for being criticised for not being a typical Indian woman, I’m perfectly happy being an un-sanskari naari!” she says.
Her detractors are now resorting to posting pictures of Namithaa at a pro-LGBT rally in the city, to quash her image. To this she says, “Well, so what if I’m not straight? It’s my identity — not something I’ll hide from. If people are looking at me as a threat because I’m a feminist and pro-LGBT, it’s actually very fulfilling.”
But isn’t she scared or worried of the repercussions? “Truth be told, I’m terrified. But it goes with the territory of being an activist. When somebody tries to put me down, I can’t help but think I am right! I’m not going to keep quiet or go into hibernation,” she says, adding, “But at the same time, I don’t want to milk my publicity. I don’t want to be put on a pedestal for appearing on TV, once because several other women have been fighting this cause for a long time.”
“Many have sent me harsh messages calling me arrogant and rude. I wish they would focus on the problems in society instead — that’s where my anger comes from,” she says on a concluding note.
