Namita Thapar Pushes Back on Trolls After Social Media Backlash Over Namaz Remarks
NEW DELHI — Namita Thapar, a judge on Shark Tank India and Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, has responded sharply to online criticism following her remarks about the health benefits of namaz, saying “silence is not a virtue” when confronting disrespect.
Thapar said she and her mother were subjected to abusive comments after she shared the remarks on Instagram in March, prompting her to address what she described as selective outrage.
Questioning the backlash, she noted that her earlier comments on the benefits of Surya Namaskar did not draw similar criticism.
In a video message, Thapar, identifying herself as a healthcare professional and a “proud Hindu,” said religion should stand for respect, particularly toward women, and urged people to speak out against disrespect.
“I have been taught that ‘R for Religion’ means ‘R for Respect’. Is this what respect looks like, especially towards women? When women are disrespected, why the silence?” she said.
She also addressed her critics directly, telling them to “continue,” but warned that actions have consequences, referencing the idea of karma.
In a separate post on X, Thapar said she recorded the video early in the morning before work because she believes people should speak up when they witness actions that go against basic human rights.
She added that while she has grown accustomed to trolling in recent years, her message was intended to encourage others to raise their voices against wrongdoing “out of humanity and patriotism.”
Shares of Emcure Pharmaceuticals fell as much as 3.12 percent during Monday’s trading session, hitting an intraday low of Rs 1,618. The stock later recovered slightly to close at Rs 1,628, down Rs 44.10, or 2.64 percent. It has traded between Rs 950 and Rs 1,688 over the past 52 weeks. (Source: IANS)
