Days after former Assamese actor Angoorlata Deka was elected to the state assembly on a Bharatiya Janata Party ticket, the internet was flooded with photographs and headlines about her.
“Meet First Time BJP MLA Angoorlata Deka Who Is Famous in Assam for Her Beauty,” announced one headline. Said another: “In pics: Angurlata Deka a new beauty sensation in politics."
The objectification was amplified on social media, sometimes with the help of fake pictures.
Angoorlata Deka the new BJP MLA from interior of Assam. Oder MLAs shd'nt get distracted @sagenaradamuni @pushp3079 pic.twitter.com/KAvYKK8KrK
— Arindam (@shillsom24) May 21, 2016
How could Telugu movie directors and producers miss a beauty like Angurlata Deka
— Srikanth (@Modi4India) May 19, 2016
Film-maker Ram Gopal Varma echoed the sexism with this tweet that garnered nearly 1,700 likes.
If MLA can look like this,Achche din aagaye hai..Thank you Angoorlataji,Thank you Modiji..1st time I love politics pic.twitter.com/WPzJgmnb13
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) May 24, 2016
This came days after a similar row.
On May 20, Dailybhaskar.com published a listicle headlined “10 Most Beautiful Female IAS and IPS officers in India”, featuring IPS officer Merin Joseph. Currently posted as assistant superintendent of police in Munnar, Kerala, Joseph responded to the objectification immediately.
The officer’s critique resounded on social media. Joseph’s Facebook followers were grateful that she took a stand against the everyday sexism.
“Thank you for speaking out Ms. Joseph,” read a comment. “The article has now been removed. Thank you for sending the message that this rubbish will not be tolerated.”
High Salute you #MerinJoseph for standing up against the ill mentality of #Media for #Women.When this #Discrimination will out !!
— Madhusmita Bishi (@Madhusmitabishi) May 26, 2016
Similarly, several people came forward to fight the sexism against Angoorlata Deka. #SaySorryRGV also trended.
#SaySorryRGV with one tweet on Assam MLA, RGV shows us the mindset of film industry in general and why we badly need the censor boards!
— paddy mahadeva (@truepaddy) May 25, 2016
I protest against all those who are circulating old pictures of newly elected BJP MLA Angurlata Deka. This is in bad taste and anti-women.
— Prodyut Bora (@prodyut4assam) May 24, 2016
By sharing pic and commenting on pic you are not vilifying Angurlata Deka in fact you are showing how scum sexist and hypocrite you are !
— Jameel جميل (@jameelsjam) May 22, 2016
@rgvzoomin Would u also mock at Amma who'd once romanced in her films? Than why target Angoorlata Deka? Because she is Assamese?
— Queen Hazarika (@queenhazarika) May 25, 2016
Even after the outrage, Varma didn't seem to understand his error.
With regards to my comment on Angoorlataji,I was just paying a compliment to her .since most MLA's don't look good it was such a change
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) May 25, 2016
Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi had recently promised a line of defence against sexist trolling. In a proposed code for online behaviour, the minister said, trolling of women will be classified as violence.