Sushma Swaraj took the role of India’s External Affairs Minister in 2014. But she has become so much more than that position because of her humanitarian work on social media. She has reached out to Indians from all over the world who were in dire need of assistance and even saved a life through her words. However, none of that mattered to some when her office took a severe misstep regarding the passport of an interfaith couple.
On June 20th, Tanvi Seth and her husband, Mohammad Anas Siddiqui alleged that a Lucknow police officer had harassed them for being an interfaith couple.
In a series of tweets to Sushma Swaraj, Tanvi Seth described how she was harassed at the Lucknow Passport Office. She said that the officer in-charge spoke rudely and repeatedly questioned her for having a Hindu name when she was married to a Muslim. This led to a huge online uproar and the passport office fast-tracked her application and approved it.
However, when Passport officer Vikas Sharma, was questioned, a very different story came to light. According to him, he was just doing his job and had asked her to clarify why she had two names: Tanvi Seth and Sadia Anas. In addition to that, when news of Sharma’s transfer hit the streets, Sushma Swaraj bore the brunt of everyone’s outrage.
It was evident that there had been some confusion at the Passport office but the outright trolling of Sushma Swaraj was uncalled for. So, she decided to meet them head on.
I was out of India from 17th to 23rd June 2018. I do not know what happened in my absence. However, I am honoured with some tweets. I am sharing them with you. So I have liked them.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) June 24, 2018
After showing the real faces of the trolls, Sushma Swaraj also requested everyone to stay calm and maintain their civility.
In a democracy difference of opinion is but natural. Pls do criticise but not in foul language. Criticism in decent language is always more effective.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 1, 2018
However, when none of that worked, Sushma Swaraj took the simplest and most effective way to deal with insensitive haters. She hit the block button.
Intezaar kyon ? Lijiye block kr diya. https://t.co/DyFy3BSZsM
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) July 3, 2018
Sonam Mahajan, who goes by the Twitter handle @AsYouNotWish, was acting well within her rights and criticising the situation regarding Tanvi Seth. But since she requested to be blocked, Sushma Swaraj gave her exactly that and without delay.
Netizens lauded Sushma Swaraj’s reaction because they knew full well that blocking is the best way to deal with irritating elements.
1. Everyone knows that now.
Passport office mein isko tatkal sewa kehte hain 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/VHGFISge7u
— Rofl Gandhi 2.0 (@RoflGandhi_) July 3, 2018
2. It is, isn’t it?
https://twitter.com/Muckiimouse/status/1014001757217701888
3. That’s the only kind of attention they deserve.
Fantastic response, Sushma ji! Trolls and people who abuse should have no space on twitter. Block them. Never engage.
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) July 3, 2018
4. With the click of a button.
Haha. @SushmaSwaraj is slaying trolls and how!:) https://t.co/drwBlKDsJd
— Rohini Singh (@rohini_sgh) July 3, 2018
5. Timely as well.
Brilliant response. These hate mongers need to be shamed
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) July 3, 2018
6. Loud round of applause for Sushma Swaraj.
— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) July 3, 2018
There’s no doubt that the whole fiasco around this particular passport has led to a lot of differing opinions. However, no matter which side you might take, you have to laud Sushma Swaraj’s indifferent manner of dealing with haters and naysayers.