Blog: It's About Freedom And Choice – What I Got To Say To The Senseless Trolls

I know that this digital age offers us the power to reach people far and wide, but it also gives voice to those whose intentions are far from constructive.

I have learned this firsthand in the past few days when I was forced to confront a backlash that shook me to my core.

However, as I sit here today, I want to share my experience, not as someone defeated, but as someone who remains resilient in their beliefs about freedom, choice, and the power of truth.

Before all the noise began, I was simply a person sharing what mattered to me as a journalist for Timeline and someone who loves engaging with the world through my personal social media handles.

I believe in creating content that I’m passionate about, talking about important issues, and exploring language and entertainment while staying true to my role as a journalist.

Whether it was discussing current affairs, cultural observations, or personal reflections, it was always an extension of my identity, my passions, and my deep-seated love for freedom of expression.

Yet, recently, my life took a sharp turn when a video I posted in response to a comedian’s comment sparked the ire of some individuals.

This wasn’t just a simple case of differing opinions. What followed was a barrage of vitriol of abuse and threats that, frankly, I never expected to receive in such intensity. But I want to be clear: no amount of online hate will make me retract my beliefs or silence my voice.

The video I shared was not a radical statement; rather, it was a reflection of my lived experience. I spoke about the freedom and liberty I have enjoyed in Kerala—a place where individuals can express themselves freely, regardless of their gender, religion, or background.

This was not an attack on any region or culture but rather an acknowledgement of the place I call home. I was simply stating what I know to be true from my own experience.

However, the backlash I received made it painfully clear that speaking about freedom was a dangerous thing.

What followed was an onslaught of hate-filled messages through DMs, comments and even e-mails. Most of which were in Hindi, targeting not just me but the women in my life.

I was called names, ridiculed, and dragged into a discourse that felt deeply personal and vindictive. There were Islamophobic comments that attempted to shame my beliefs and my identity. To be honest, it felt as though the very fabric of my humanity was under attack.

But what struck me the most during this wave of hostility was the realisation that those who were attacking me were not just people voicing their disagreement.

They were cruel—anonymous figures behind screens, using social media as a weapon to silence anyone who dared speak a truth that didn’t align with their worldview.

I now understand, more than ever, the struggles of writers, actors, journalists, and other individuals who have faced similar vicious attacks for simply being authentic.

I want to make something very clear: my argument was never about one region being superior to another. I wasn’t pitting Kerala against any other part of India or the world.

What I was speaking to was a basic truth about human liberty, the freedom to live, eat, and express oneself as one pleases.

I often think about how sad it is to live in a democratic country where someone’s right to eat is denied simply because others don’t like it.

I was speaking about my experience, a deeply personal one, in a place that has afforded me a sense of security and freedom.

India is a democratic country, not one that is governed by the beliefs of any single group. This is how we have learned to live and coexist.

I believe in democracy (which is now under threat in many ways); we should all have the right to live the way we want, to speak the truth without fear of retribution, and to be free from harassment for expressing our opinions.

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Unfortunately, my truth seemed to threaten others. It wasn’t just about what I said, but the mere act of speaking my truth became a battleground for trolls to unleash their venom.

Their abuse wasn’t just confined to my post but extended to my identity, my beliefs, and even my family. It became a larger issue of freedom—freedom of expression, freedom of choice, and freedom of identity.

As I reflect on what happened, I realise that this experience is not unique to me. It is happening to countless others who speak out and challenge the status quo.

We live in an age where free speech is often met with hostility, especially if what we say disrupts someone else’s narrative.

But what about the freedom to eat what we want?

What about the freedom to wear what we choose? What about the freedom to speak our minds without fearing harassment? These are fundamental human rights that transcend any ideology or belief system, and yet, they are often taken away from us by those who believe their truth is the only truth.

The backlash I faced over something as simple as speaking about Kerala’s culture and freedom made me realise how fragile our liberties truly are.

We have seen onInfluencer an everyday basis that freedom is denied—freedom of expression, freedom to eat, and freedom to live without fear of being persecuted for our beliefs. I was fortunate enough to experience a different reality, one where I felt empowered to speak up, but not everyone shares that privilege.

But let me be clear: this isn’t about me. This is about a larger issue that affects all of us—the erosion of basic freedoms and the rise of online harassment as a tool to suppress those who speak out.

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If we allow this to continue unchecked, we will all lose the ability to express ourselves freely. This isn’t just an attack on me but on the very fabric of democracy.

So, to the senseless trolls who think that harassment and threats will silence me, I say this: you are mistaken. I will not be intimidated by your hate.

I will continue to speak my truth, to advocate for freedom, and to encourage others to do the same. The world needs more truth, not less. And if my voice, my freedom, my right to express myself is something you can’t tolerate, then I can only feel sorry for you.

In the end, freedom is about choice, the choice to live the way we want, to speak what we believe, and to stand up for what is right.

If we are afraid to make those choices, then we are no longer free. I refuse to live in a world where my voice is silenced by those who are too afraid of the truth. And I will continue to fight for the freedom to speak, to eat, and to be who I am, no matter what.

This is my story, but it is not just my fight. It is a fight for all of us who believe in the power of truth and the right to live without fear and freedom to live and speak as we please.

Wafa Hussain is a Senior Sub Editor with Timeline and also an influencer.