Entrepreneur and Shark Tank India judge Namita Thapar has publicly responded to online trolling that followed her post on the health benefits of Namaz, using the moment to call for respect, restraint and the courage to speak up.
Thapar, associated Arth by Emcure, shared a video message accompanied by a detailed caption, explaining why she chose to respond instead of staying silent.
“I left for Bombay at 6.30 am like the hard working professional that I am & stopped the car at 7 am to make this reel,” she wrote, adding that she has “long realised that silence is not a virtue & one must speak up when they are disrespected.”
The backlash, she indicated, had gone beyond her personally. In her message, Thapar said that even her mother was being targeted with abusive comments, something she flagged as crossing a line.
At the same time, she made it clear that her stance was not directed against any one community. “I respect all religions,” she said, framing her position around coexistence rather than confrontation. She also added that she believes in karma, suggesting that actions and intent ultimately shape outcomes.
Her remarks repeatedly returned to the idea of dignity and mutual respect. “Religion means respect,” she said, urging people, particularly those she described as educated, to amplify that message and speak up when they witness something wrong.
The entrepreneur also reflected on her own journey in dealing with public criticism. According to her, the trolling itself is not new. “I don’t care about the personal trolling, I’m used to it last 5 years since Shark Tank,” she wrote. Instead, she said the purpose of her video was to make a broader appeal.
“Yes if wrong things happen at any workplace that are against basic human rights, me & all of us should speak up,” she noted, linking her response to a wider principle rather than a single incident.
She further added that over time she has come to understand the importance of standing up for oneself, an approach she believes others should adopt as well when faced with disrespect.
In a direct appeal, Thapar called on “all the proud Indians in this country” to raise their voices “out of humanity, out of patriotism,” ending her message with “Jai hind.”
Her closing line shifted the tone back to routine life. “Now off to another joyful & complex day at work!” she wrote, underscoring that despite the controversy, her professional commitments remain unchanged.
The episode highlights a recurring pattern in India’s social media landscape, where public figures often find themselves at the centre of sharp reactions, particularly when their posts intersect with religion or social issues. Thapar’s response, however, focused less on the criticism itself and more on how individuals choose to react to it, by either remaining silent or speaking out.
For now, her message places the emphasis firmly on respect, accountability and the willingness to take a stand when lines are crossed.
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