Jyoti Magar says - Cyber bullying is not just about speaking out, even someone's direct/indirect expression or small writing on social media can have the same impact on another person. I think no one in Nepal has experienced cyber bullying as much as I have.
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Recently, artists, content creators, and politicians have been facing digital violence. They are becoming mentally traumatized even as they try to ignore the attacks on them. However, there is no sign of complaints or action being taken against such violence.
Singer Jyoti Magar says that she feels that she should not waste time chasing the wrong things. ‘Apart from this, I have many responsibilities. The biggest tackle is not to give value to that thing. I am right in my opinion, I am sure that these wrong things will disappear on their own. I feel that doing nothing is the way to tackle it,’ she says.
A brief conversation with singer Magar on this subject by Kantipur:
How do you deal with digital violence?
I have been facing digital violence since 15 years ago. We are all responsible for this. We were not aware of whether we should use digital media or misuse it. Not just talking is cyber bullying, directly/indirectly someone’s expression or small writing on social media can also affect another person. Cyber bullying in Nepal has probably not happened to anyone as much as I have.
We go to the cyber bureau saying that we have been defamed. Even there, there is a small power play. There is a powerful group that does cyber bullying. That group will harass a person, sometimes accusing them of something they want or don't want and imprison them in the name of cyber crime. Those who can't do anything are doing more than they need to. It is also called the cyber army. Their profiles are 'created' for the attack. There is a group of people who do/know about this through cyber networks.
What kind of attacks hurt you in the beginning?
According to what I experienced, it was intentional bullying. Around 2013/014, when I released the song 'Dhade Biralo', there were some people close to my field who made the news - Jyoti Magar had been beaten up by a group of women and put in jail. That rumor affected me the most. Even my mother couldn't sleep. I couldn't sleep for days. I went into depression. The mental stress at that time has not yet recovered. I know what I am. When people spread misconceptions about me, it hurts the way people see me, the respect, honor, and prestige I give them. What hurts people the most is when their reputation is hurt. This is the most difficult thing to bear.
What kind of people are involved in such things?
The people who are currently living in society as knowledgeable people have created such groups. I also look at my profile. If I have some opinion about someone, if I think it is wrong, his army attacks. We are working on cutting branches. It is necessary to uproot it.
When did you realize that you have to fight this?
I felt that you should not waste time chasing the wrong thing. Apart from this, I have many responsibilities. The biggest tackle is not to give value to that thing. I am right in what I am saying, I am sure that these wrong things will disappear on their own. I feel that doing nothing is the way to tackle it.
