For young activists Srishthi Khanna and Prashant Pundir, a video discussing Palestine turned into a distressing experience. The incident commenced on December 9, when Khanna and Pundir shared a collaborative video addressing India’s role in suppressing pro-Palestine protests and the deployment of Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) soldiers in India. They highlighted how India’s relationship with Israel has intensified over the past decade, gradually moving away from its traditionally pro-Palestine stance.
The video quickly gained traction online. According to the activists, it was intended to provide historical context regarding India’s official recognition of Palestine, juxtaposed with its growing military and diplomatic ties to Israel.
Khanna stated, “It was suddenly framed as if we had leaked classified information and insinuated that we are inciting some sort of violence, which is simply untrue. Everything in the video is a basic Google search away.”
Both activists claimed the video was misrepresented, leading to an onslaught of trolling and misinformation. Pundir explained, “That deliberate misquoting and misinterpretation of our video triggered the trolling and online harassment. It began after a few influential accounts amplified the video and mobilised a troll ecosystem against us.”
The original poster of the video, Rishi Bagree, is known for using social media to spread misinformation and harass citizens, activists, and journalists.
Personal Information Leaked, Trolling Intensifies
The harassment escalated to doxxing, with personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, and workplace details being circulated online. Khanna is a schoolteacher, while Pundir, who identifies as queer, is a writer. Both have a history of vocalizing their views on various political issues, including the Palestinian cause.
Khanna remarked, “The trolling was not just random hate and abuse; it was about causing tangible damage to our reputation, inducing fear, and asserting power. We were harassed, threatened with rape, death, and lynching. Moreover, our personal information was leaked. No ordinary citizen should have to experience this mass harassment and doxxing simply for speaking out.”
Pundir added that their workplaces were also targeted, with employers receiving repeated calls and messages urging them to terminate both activists. This systematic intimidation affected not just Khanna and Pundir but also their friends and colleagues.
A February 2023 report from the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and UNESCO attributed many coordinated online attacks against journalists to “troll armies” affiliated with the BJP. Additionally, a 2025 report from the Center for the Study of Organized Hate (CSOH) revealed that a substantial number of hate speech events originate from social media platforms.
Rape and Death Threats
The activists received severe threats, including rape threats directed at Khanna, who also faced sexually degrading AI-manipulated images. Pundir was subjected to homophobic abuse tied to his gender identity. “Misogyny and queerphobia are weaponised to discipline dissent,” he noted. Both were labeled as “anti-nationals,” “urban Naxals,” and “terrorists,” with right-wing accounts falsely accusing them of inciting violence against Israeli tourists in India.
Khanna remarked, “What became clear is that these groups take law and order into their own hands. They appoint themselves judges…and try to enforce punishment through mass harassment.”
Misinformation Fuelled by Right-Wing News Portals
Following the video, misleading claims circulated, alleging that both activists had been fired from their jobs. Right-wing news outlets, including OpIndia and Satyaagrah, perpetuated these falsehoods. Khanna mentioned that their employers faced threats and harassment as a result.
The growing Hindutva ecosystem is accused of bolstering pro-Israel narratives while dismissing Palestinian suffering. Senior journalist Azad Essad commented in a newsletter that the attacks on Khanna and Pundir signify how closely intertwined India’s domestic politics have become with its alliance with Israel.
‘Not Backing Down’
Despite the harassment, both activists have filed multiple cyber complaints and sought legal advice, notifying police authorities about the threats. “We are pursuing criminal and civil remedies against those who leaked our personal information and spread hate and misinformation,” Khanna said.
Neither Khanna nor Pundir plans to withdraw, emphasizing their commitment to their values and advocacy. “Eventually, you return to what grounds you—your values, your politics, and the reasons you spoke in the first place. Truth has more staying power than mobs,” they stated.
Khanna concluded, “Speaking about Palestine and other issues felt like using the means, resources, and platform we had to make space for oppressed communities and hold ourselves accountable for our privilege.”
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