Shark Tank India's entrepreneur and judge, Namita Thapar, incurred a lot of backlash after being targeted with online trolling for posting a social media reel outlining healthy namaz.
The video also illustrated the physical aspect of the Islamic prayer. Some were sympathetic with the perspective, and others resented it. In addition, Namita shares her videos after watching the video and talks about how moving in namaz (bending, kneeling, prostration) has its own physical impact, like in some kind of exercise or stretching.
Traditional practices must be approached through a health and wellness lens, she says, which she likes to promote with her social media. The posting was quickly slammed by one group of users, who inquired where she had come from and accused her of spreading religious proclivities to an undue extent.
Some comments were blunt and personal, reflecting the divisive nature of debates in social media. And in the wake of the backlash, Namita Thapar turned to her social media to clarify that position. Her only aim right now was to talk about health stuff, not fight for, and praise, a particular religion, she said.
She stressed that, at a community level, there are many cultural and traditional practices that have basic health benefits, and that it should not be a point of contention to define them that way. She dared users to engage in healthy conversation, and not only meant. But her voice echoed her view of online harassment, so her response was tempered but direct. It is worth mentioning that Namita’s supporters were generous in their support of her point of view, calling out the trolling as the one.
And many users have found her attempts to move beyond the divide between wellness and culture a good idea, and have said such a conversation can enable the practice of many more diverse traditions to be seen and appreciated. “This episode is a reminder again of the way social media power can amplify support or backlash and can turn nuanced conversations into acrimonious arguments.
Public figures in particular may be in the middle of a storm where well-meaning words will sometimes be taken wrong. Practices like namaz, for example, are a kind of form of structured physical exercise that can help to build flexibility, posture and mindfulness, experts say. But, they also stress, any such discussion should be approached with respect to cultural or religious ramifications--at least.
The post from Namita Thapar is part of a call for “respectful” conversation on social media. Since influencers are all making posts for all kinds of things, it is good to strike a balance. Still, Namita continues to put out things about wellness, business and self-improvement in spite of the backlash, probably proving her reputation has nothing to do with her popularity. The episode is a lesson in the power and dangers of social media discourse in a world that has become more connected.
