Guwahati, Aug 2: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Sunday alleged that supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were engaging in online abuse, including rape threats, derogatory remarks and doxxing, and described the party’s IT cell as a “pit of toxic masculinity”.
In a post on X, Gogoi contrasted the atmosphere at the recent protests at Jantar Mantar with what he described as the growing hostility faced by women in digital spaces.
“The beauty of Jantar Mantar was that many girls and young women said they felt safe in the crowd,” he said.
According to the Congress leader, several women participants had shared that they received support and protection from young men during the protests.
“The young men at Jantar Mantar showed empathy, strength and courage. This is an example of positive masculinity,” Gogoi said.
He, however, alleged that women were increasingly facing harassment and insecurity on social media platforms.
“Where the girls are feeling unsafe is in the digital space,” he said, claiming that some boys and men supporting the BJP were responsible for issuing rape threats, making prostitution-related remarks and doxxing individuals.
Describing the alleged online behaviour as an example of “toxic masculinity”, Gogoi said, “This is the IT cell, the pit of toxic masculinity.”
The Congress MP also called for accountability, urging that those responsible for online abuse be identified and publicly exposed.
“The perpetrators of this filth should be identified, named and shamed,” he said.
