Anam Ajmal (THE TIMES OF INDIA; August 13, 2020)

New Delhi: Several Bhojpuri songs were released on on YouTube recently abusing actor Rhea Chakraborty. The music videos, which were also shared on several other social media platforms, blame Rhea for actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, call her names and even threaten her with rape. The offensive songs have been viewed several thousand times and have also garnered hateful comments against her.

According to gender activists, the media trial and comments passed on digital platforms against Rhea indicate the deep misogyny that is entrenched in society.

“Rhea Chakraborty is the victim of an unfair and vitriolic media trial. The charges against her have not been proven yet. But everyone has become the judiciary and pronounced her guilty. We are not against an investigation, but against the language used against her,” said social activist Ranjana Kumari.

Rhea had also taken to Instagram on July 16 and shared a screenshot where a user had threatened her with rape.