Singer Chinmayi warns online abusers targeting children: I wish you horrific life
Singer Chinmayi Sripaada said continued online abuse against her family led her director-husband Rahul Ravindran to quit X after users targeted their children. She said the harassment reflects rape culture and a coordinated effort to drive outspoken women off social media.
Singer and voice actor Chinmayi Sripaada has spoken out about the continued online abuse directed at her family, revealing that the harassment became so severe that her husband, filmmaker Rahul Ravindran, quit X after trolls began wishing death upon their three-year-old children. She warned the abusers about a long and horrific life, while talking about the 'rape culture pyramid'.
In a seven-minute video shared on X, Chinmayi addressed rape culture, misogyny, consent and the coordinated online abuse she says she has endured for years because of her advocacy for survivors of sexual assault.
'Rape culture doesn't begin with rape'
Sharing the testimonies of survivors of sexual assault, "a cause very close to my heart", Chinmayi said conversations about abuse cannot happen without acknowledging the culture that enables it.
"It doesn't start with rape immediately. It starts with sexist jokes, misogynistic jokes, vulgar jokes, memes, getting abused, revenge porn and unsolicited nudes," she said, referring to the "rape culture pyramid" to explain how everyday behaviour gradually normalises violence against women.
She added that even discussions about consent have often been met with hostility rather than understanding. Recalling how she once spoke about practising consent with children at home, Chinmayi said the response online was immediate and abusive.
"Rahul and I have become the brunt of a whole lot of abuse. That's just normal average behaviour here," she remarked.
Here's her video:
'They're obsessed with Rahul'
Chinmayi said the abuse soon extended to her husband, with users mocking him for supporting her and questioning why he had not divorced her. She said the attacks reflected deeply rooted misogyny and patriarchal attitudes.
"All that I see is that they're obsessed with Rahul," she said, adding that many found it difficult to accept a man publicly standing by an outspoken woman.
According to Chinmayi, the trolling intensified after Rahul posted that isolated crimes against men should not be equated with the systemic oppression women face.
'They prayed for our children's death'
The singer alleged that the abuse eventually crossed every line when users began targeting their twin children. Sharing screenshots and audio clips in the video, Chinmayi claimed some users wished death upon her three-year-old twins and even prayed for their funeral.
She said Rahul reached his breaking point after coming across a post asking others to pray for the death of their son. "He decided to delete the app [X]. I'm still here," Chinmayi said.
The video comes days after Rahul Ravindran announced that he had quit X following sustained harassment directed at his family.
'They want women to leave these spaces'
Describing the abuse as a coordinated attempt to silence outspoken women, Chinmayi alleged that groups of men deliberately come together to intimidate and harass women online. "They come together, bully, harass and abuse with the sole intention of kicking women out of these social spaces," she said. "I'm just not yet ready to be counted in the statistic of women that they successfully kicked out."
Responding to those who suggested she take legal action, Chinmayi argued that accountability is difficult because many of those behind such abuse are influential, financially well-connected or based outside India.
Ending the video on an emotional note, she said she could never forgive those who targeted her children.
"If you ever abuse my children, I'm going to wish nothing but horror, a very long life and a horrific life at that," she said, adding, "My prayers are always answered."
The video comes amid renewed conversations around online harassment, misogyny and the personal cost of speaking out against sexual abuse, issues Chinmayi has consistently addressed since becoming one of the earliest voices of the #MeToo movement in the Tamil film industry.
Singer and voice actor Chinmayi Sripaada has spoken out about the continued online abuse directed at her family, revealing that the harassment became so severe that her husband, filmmaker Rahul Ravindran, quit X after trolls began wishing death upon their three-year-old children. She warned the abusers about a long and horrific life, while talking about the 'rape culture pyramid'.
In a seven-minute video shared on X, Chinmayi addressed rape culture, misogyny, consent and the coordinated online abuse she says she has endured for years because of her advocacy for survivors of sexual assault.
'Rape culture doesn't begin with rape'
Sharing the testimonies of survivors of sexual assault, "a cause very close to my heart", Chinmayi said conversations about abuse cannot happen without acknowledging the culture that enables it.
"It doesn't start with rape immediately. It starts with sexist jokes, misogynistic jokes, vulgar jokes, memes, getting abused, revenge porn and unsolicited nudes," she said, referring to the "rape culture pyramid" to explain how everyday behaviour gradually normalises violence against women.
She added that even discussions about consent have often been met with hostility rather than understanding. Recalling how she once spoke about practising consent with children at home, Chinmayi said the response online was immediate and abusive.
"Rahul and I have become the brunt of a whole lot of abuse. That's just normal average behaviour here," she remarked.
Here's her video:
'They're obsessed with Rahul'
Chinmayi said the abuse soon extended to her husband, with users mocking him for supporting her and questioning why he had not divorced her. She said the attacks reflected deeply rooted misogyny and patriarchal attitudes.
"All that I see is that they're obsessed with Rahul," she said, adding that many found it difficult to accept a man publicly standing by an outspoken woman.
According to Chinmayi, the trolling intensified after Rahul posted that isolated crimes against men should not be equated with the systemic oppression women face.
'They prayed for our children's death'
The singer alleged that the abuse eventually crossed every line when users began targeting their twin children. Sharing screenshots and audio clips in the video, Chinmayi claimed some users wished death upon her three-year-old twins and even prayed for their funeral.
She said Rahul reached his breaking point after coming across a post asking others to pray for the death of their son. "He decided to delete the app [X]. I'm still here," Chinmayi said.
The video comes days after Rahul Ravindran announced that he had quit X following sustained harassment directed at his family.
'They want women to leave these spaces'
Describing the abuse as a coordinated attempt to silence outspoken women, Chinmayi alleged that groups of men deliberately come together to intimidate and harass women online. "They come together, bully, harass and abuse with the sole intention of kicking women out of these social spaces," she said. "I'm just not yet ready to be counted in the statistic of women that they successfully kicked out."
Responding to those who suggested she take legal action, Chinmayi argued that accountability is difficult because many of those behind such abuse are influential, financially well-connected or based outside India.
Ending the video on an emotional note, she said she could never forgive those who targeted her children.
"If you ever abuse my children, I'm going to wish nothing but horror, a very long life and a horrific life at that," she said, adding, "My prayers are always answered."
The video comes amid renewed conversations around online harassment, misogyny and the personal cost of speaking out against sexual abuse, issues Chinmayi has consistently addressed since becoming one of the earliest voices of the #MeToo movement in the Tamil film industry.
