Right-wing cyber-attack on Leelavathy shows no one is immune for sympathising with Muslims

The cyberbullying and attack on Leelavathy Teacher, at her 98 years of age and with her stature as a reputed name in literature as well as social and right activism, by right-wing handles in Kerala, demonstrates that age and stature are nothing before these racist-infected minds that unleash tirades against those who sympathise with Muslims.

Leelavathy, who has spent more than seven decades shaping generations of students and establishing herself as a trailblazer in literary criticism, announced that she would cancel her 98th birthday celebration as a mark of solidarity with the children of Gaza, a gesture that was rooted in profound empathy and moral conviction.

Her private remark, expressing anguish over the plight of starving children in a war-torn land, quickly became the target of vicious trolling, revealing the depths of intolerance and the ease with which social media amplifies hatred.

The attacks on Leelavathy were unrelenting, with multiple handles questioning her allegiances, disparaging her character, and resorting to obscene and brutal language, all of which highlighted a toxic trend in online discourse where even the frail and elderly are not spared.

These trolls fixated on perceived biases, criticised her for not speaking about other conflicts, and attempted to frame her humanitarian concern for Palestinian children as partisan support for Muslims.

Despite her age and the personal nature of her sentiments, the cyber onslaught persisted, indicating a calculated disregard for civility and respect, and raising concerns about the erosion of democratic norms in online spaces.

Kerala’s political and cultural community rallied behind the veteran critic, emphasising her lifelong commitment to rational and humanitarian principles, and defending her stature as a voice of conscience in society.

Senior political leaders described the trolling as a matter of serious concern, underlining that such behaviour serves no positive purpose and threatens to make society retrogressive, while writers and cultural figures highlighted that abusive attacks on someone of Leelavathy’s stature were wholly unacceptable.

The overwhelming response reflected the deep respect she commands in Kerala as both a literary figure and an advocate of social justice, whose vision transcends caste, religion, and community.

Leelavathy’s contribution to Malayalam literature has been unparalleled, spanning criticism of the works of prominent writers such as G. Sankara Kurup, Changampuzha, and Vyloppilly, and incorporating feminist perspectives that challenged traditional norms, while offering psychological and sociological insights.

She began her career in the 1940s, joined Government Victoria College, Palakkad, and retired as principal of Government Brennen College, Thalassery, leaving behind a legacy that extends far beyond academia, influencing poets, writers, artists, administrators, and other professionals.

Her writings have consistently sought to illuminate social issues and literary evolution with clarity and compassion, and she has remained fiercely independent, never aligning herself with political dispensations while taking principled stances on issues ranging from women’s rights to environmental concerns.

The attack on her at such an advanced age underscores the perilous combination of social media virality and ideological intolerance, as well as the dangers posed when moral empathy is misconstrued as political partisanship.