It all started on 04th May, the Saturday of the RCB vs SRH IPL Match, when, all of a sudden, it wasn’t the match, but, one particular spectator who became the focus of attention.
The RCB Girl, Deepika Ghose – whom the cameraman panned on more often than not – rose to fame and followers she did not see coming. Suddenly, the internet was crushing on her. Suddenly, her follower count rose to the extent that Instagram instantly blessed her with verified status.
That was about a week ago. And a lot has happened in Ghose’s life ever since.
In an Instagram post, the young woman has finally spoken up about THAT moment and what it has led to ever since. And, it’s not all good.
“My name is Deepika Ghose & that is probably the only thing that is being said about me which is 100% TRUE,” she starts.
Ghose who has been going to watch RCB matches for years now, with her family, had no idea this match would be any different.
“I did not want any recognition or realise the number of times that I was on camera. I am no celebrity, just an ordinary girl who was enjoying the match. I did nothing to warrant the kind of attention that ensued after the TV images appeared & I certainly did not seek it.”
She goes on to reveal that, while being a talented artist, stylist and entrepreneur, she does not consider being on TV at an IPL match an achievement.
Speaking about the increase in her Instagram followers, she says, “I am as much in shock as all of you.”
She continues:
While I am grateful for the love, I am disturbed by the unnecessary negativity. It has been an extreme case of abuse, trauma and mental torture. I am confused as to how people found my name/profile. My identity, privacy & life have been hacked in an instant. A lot of the overnight followers are men who have used this platform to be crude, vulgar, vicious & entirely disrespectful.
Truth be told, no one deserves the negative attention, especially when it comes in the form of unsolicited male attention that borderlines lewd and lecherous. But, that’s not all. For Ghose, the negativity extended to include women, too.
“Even more shocking is the hate I have received from women. How quick & cruel you have been to say mean things to & about me without even knowing me,” she adds.
She goes on to reveal how, ever since her images at the match went viral she has been subject to unnecessary judgement and condemned for simply being herself.
Ghose ends her post on a positive note, hoping to turn the love and the following into something productive.
What’s admirable is the spirit with which she has decided to turn the negative into the positive. We hope that the negativity comes to a halt; it’s bad enough women are blamed for their actions. But, who do we blame for the unwanted attention and unsolicited remarks women never asked for?