8-year-old climate activist rejects PM Modi's #SheInspiresUs campaign; gets trolled
Child climate activist Licypriya Kangujam on Friday refused to be included in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's #SheInspiresUs campaign for International Women's Day. Kangujam (8) turned down the honor as she said the PM has not been listening to her demands for climate change. After her announcement, the young activist was subjected to trolling, with some saying she never deserved the honor anyway.
'Don't celebrate me if you won't listen to me'
Modi on Tuesday announced that he would give away his social media handles to women whose "life & work inspire us." On Thursday, the government's citizen engagement platform 'MyGovIndia' tweeted about Kangujam's achievements, including her in the #SheInspiresUs campaign. The young activist then thanked the government, however, rejected the honor saying, "Please don't celebrate me if you are not going to listen my voice."
You can view her tweet here
'Brainwashed by jihadi narrative; doesn't deserve honor,' say trolls
Thereafter, several trolls slammed Kangujam on Twitter. One person wrote, "This kid is already brainwashed. Please take her award back. She doesn't deserve it. She has fallen into the jihadi narrative." "She is an Indian version of International scam," another tweeted, attaching a picture of Swedish teen climate activist Greta Thunberg. After the backlash, Kangujam requested the bullying to stop.
'Don't expect anything from anyone; just want leaders to listen'
Reacting to the trolling, Kangujam said she is not against anyone and simply wants the system to change to include her demands on climate change. "I don't expect anything from anyone except I want our leaders to listen my voice," she said, adding that she had hoped her #SheInspiresUs snub would draw attention to her climate change campaign.
Kangujam asked politicians to stop using her for political gains
Addressing all politicians, Kangujam said, "I don't need appreciation. Instead, ask your MPs to rise my voice at the ongoing Parliament session. Never attempt to use me for your political gains and propagandas. don't appreciate it. I'm not in your favor." She added, "Your MPs also dumb, deaf and blind. Nothing more or less by Government ruling MPs. This is complete failure (sic)."
She also believes an online feminist campaign isn't enough
Speaking to The Indian Express, Kangujam likened the #SheInspiresUs campaign to applying fairness creams—once you wash your face, it no longer stays on. She said, "Considering the crimes against women and children, I don't think [the campaign] can solve anything."
What are Kangujam's demands concerning climate change?
Kangujam has long demanded a law regulating carbon emissions and the emissions of other greenhouse gases. Her demands include mandatory inclusion of climate change in school curriculum and an order restricting students from passing final examinations unless they plant at least ten trees annually. In July 2019, she held a week-long protest in front of the Indian Parliament to draw attention to climate change.
