Pulwama Attack: Sania Mirza’s Message to Trolls Deserves Attention

The Indian tennis star – a constant target of social media trolls – issued a strong statement on Sunday, 17 Feb.

File picture of Sania Mirza.

(Photo: Twitter)

The all-pervading, judgmental eye of social media doesn’t bat an eyelid at any point of time – and it’s perhaps one of the worse places to be at in times of tragedy.

Celebrities have been targets of choice for the hate-filled machinery that is trolling, and Sania Mirza – a ‘favourite’ of the troll army – has finally had enough.

The tennis star hit out at the trolls in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, presumably miffed by the amount of venom being thrown in her direction on social media.

Ever since her marriage to Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik, Mirza has been subject to massive trolling every time India-Pakistan relations take a hit – and even when they don’t.

The six-time Grand Slam champion has finally decided to vent her feelings.

“This post is for those people who think that as celebrities we need to 'condemn' an attack, tweet and Instagram and be all over social media to prove that we are patriotic and care about our country,” Mirza began, in a post shared by her on Sunday, 17 February, three days after 40 jawans were killed in Pulwama in what was the deadliest terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in three decades.

“Why? Because we are celebs and some of you are frustrated individuals who have nowhere else to target your anger towards and grab every opportunity to spread more hate?”

“I don’t need to condemn an attack publicly, or come and scream from roof tops or all over social media that we are against terrorism.Of course we are against terrorism and anyone that spreads it. Any person in their right mind is against terrorism, and if they are not then that’s a problem.”

Mirza, who has been in trolls’ line of fire so much that she famously went off social media the last time India and Pakistan met on the cricket field, at the Asia Cup in September 2018, stressed that she didn’t need to air her patriotism on social media while terming the 14 February attack a “black day for India”.

“I play for my country, sweat for it and that’s how I serve my country. I stand with the CRPF jawans and their families, my heart goes out to them and they are our true heroes who protect our country.” 

“14th February was a black day for India and I hope we never have to see another day like this. No amount of condolences can make any of this better. This day will not be forgotten, and neither shall it be forgiven,” the 32-year-old continued.

“But YES, I will still pray for peace, and you should too instead of spreading more hate. Find your way to serve the nation instead of sitting and swearing and judging public figures for how many posts they have posted about the tragedy. Do your bit and we are doing our bit WITHOUT announcing on social media. Yes, that’s a thing too.”

It’s a message that is likely to fall on deaf ears, given the convenient ways of social media. But for standing up to online hate mongers, India’s most decorated female tennis player gets our thumbs up – and a larger piece of our hearts.