Mumbai: Almost a month after Shark Tank India judge and Emcure Pharmaceuticals Executive Director Namita Thapar shared a video highlighting the health benefits of namaz, the post drew significant backlash online. She has now responded, revealing that she has been subjected to abuse for the past three weeks while also clarifying her position.
On Monday, Namita posted a video on X addressing the trolling. She said that for weeks, people have been hurling abusive slurs at her and even targeting her mother, questioning why a video about the health benefits of namaz triggered such reactions. She emphasized that as a healthcare professional, she has also created similar content on Hindu practices, including yoga and Surya Namaskar, without facing criticism.
She added that she was raised to believe religion stands for respect and questioned the silence when women are subjected to such abuse. She said she has learned to stand up for herself and reminded critics of the concept of karma, asserting her identity as a proud Hindu.
In her closing remarks, she urged people who believe in respect and humanity to amplify her message, noting that negative content often goes viral more easily. In the caption, she mentioned recording the video early in the morning before leaving for Bombay and stressed that silence in the face of disrespect is not a virtue. She also said that while she is accustomed to trolling over the years, her intention was to encourage people to speak up against wrongdoing.
The controversy began after Namita shared a video explaining namaz as a form of full-body exercise that improves flexibility, joint health, and blood circulation.
She also spoke about its mental health benefits due to its meditative nature and highlighted how certain postures, like Vajrasana, can aid digestion and offer a moment of calm. However, some social media users criticised her for discussing these aspects.
