Mumbai: Actress Bhumi Pednekar has strongly condemned the online abuse and threats directed at a young girl who participated in a recent protest, stating that rape and death threats are unacceptable.

Sharing a video on her social media account, Pednekar urged people not to harass others and highlighted the lasting impact such targeting can have on a person’s mental health. The caption of her post read: “Rape and death threats are unacceptable.”

In the video, the actress said she had come across an interview of a young protester who appeared deeply distressed after receiving threats online. “I saw a video on the internet where a young girl who was part of the protest was giving an interview. And she looked visibly broken and shaken. She had a video that went viral. And since then, she has been getting non-stop rape threats and death threats,” Pednekar said.

She added that the girl’s mother and family were also being targeted. “Not only her, but her mother is also getting it. Her family is also getting it. And that is unacceptable.”

Pednekar called for empathy and said disagreement with someone’s views should not lead to the bullying of a young person or the creation of fear. “We cannot bully a young girl. We cannot put a fear psychosis in a young child’s mind because we disagree with their opinion.”

Reflecting on her own experiences as a woman and a public figure, she noted that harassment can leave a deep and lasting effect on mental health. “As women, we suffer a lot of harassment. And as a public figure, I have gone through this experience. And I can’t tell you how much of a deep lasting impact it has on someone’s mental health.”

She concluded by urging people to remain united and focus on the country’s progress. “We all just want one thing. That the country should progress, the country should be good. And by being united, if we keep the right things in the right way, then we will see the right change.”

Pednekar’s statement adds to public calls against the use of violent and sexually aggressive threats as a response to differing opinions, particularly when directed at young individuals and their families.