In the Times of India today, best-selling author Chetan Bhagat penned a column titled "Anatomy of an internet troll", wherein he produced a theory of the "strange new phenomenon in India, the bhakts". Crucially, Bhagat's diagnosis had to say this about the cyber Hindu:
"Typically, and at the cost of stereotyping, true bhakts have the following four traits in common. First, they are almost all male. Second, they have weak communication skills, particularly in English. This in turn leads to a bit of an inferiority complex, of not being cool or sophisticated enough in a fast changing, globalising world. Third, they are generally not good at talking to women. As a result they are unlikely to know how to behave with them or woo them. They do desire women, but can’t get them. In other words, if i may say so, they are sexually frustrated with no way of getting it. Fourth, there is an over-riding sense of shame about being Hindu, Hindi speaking and/ or Indian. Deep down they know that Hindi-speaking Hindus are among India’s poorest. They also know that India is a third world country with third rate infrastructure and few achievements on the world stage in science, sports, defence or creativity. To hide this shame, they over-compensate in terms of chest-beating nationalism."
However, all hell broke loose on social media as the "bhakts" went berserk. Some of the stellar reactions (not all from trolls) and abuses that Bhagat faced on Twitter since the publication of the piece are reproduced below.
Though his analysis received some criticism from the left-liberal commentators as well, he was applauded for speaking out frankly against this virulent and abusive demographic.
On a lighter note this article on frustrated trolls who can not get Gf comes from a guy who barely managed only half a Gf @chetan_bhagat
— The Dentalist (@amitTweet_s) July 11, 2015
Seeing the idiotic state of two IITians @chetan_bhagat @ArvindKejriwal I am so glad that I never made it to IIT! #tweetlikeCB
— Vijay Patil (@vsp888) July 10, 2015
90% Chinese & Japanese r poor in English,Still with all technology they r developed they r not foreign language slave like u @chetan_bhagat
— Pradeep Bharadwaj (@capkbharadwaj) July 11, 2015
Here @chetan_bhagat Someone abusing bhakt wmn. Does ths make Vidyut a Bhakt or ds ths make u intellectually dishonst? pic.twitter.com/ndi0g6QTvv
— Vande Mataram (@UnSubtleDesi) July 11, 2015
Vote RT if you think Chetan Bhagat plays victim better than Shruti Seth fav if you think Shruti Seth is better.
— Ankit Jain (@indiantweeter) July 11, 2015
Chetan Bhagat has no opinion of his own, he changes his POV acc to the #Wave Supported AAP, called it Item Girl Supported BJP n now this.
— Prerna (@Iam_Prerna) July 11, 2015
I am in complete agreement with Chetan Bhagat. Nalanda University failed because Bihari males don't know English and have no female friends
— AmartyaTalks (@AmartyaTalks) July 11, 2015
Sexually Frustrated and Unable to speak to girls Chetan Bhagat asking for locations to do lecherous activities pic.twitter.com/KXBIhAUoqD
— Bait-an Bhagat (@bwoyblunder) July 11, 2015
Many things you can learn from @chetan_bhagat like Oratory, English, suaveness Also hypocrisy & Shameless opportunism pic.twitter.com/3DDc3OcqAQ
— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) July 11, 2015
The last resort of a "writing scoundrel" is claim "sarcasm" when #FAIL .. @chetan_bhagat And only Derek got it? LOL! pic.twitter.com/zfDYUwjbmP
— MediaCrooks (@mediacrooks) July 11, 2015
"Oh oh oh ohhhhh I was made in England" @chetan_bhagat Haahahhaa.. Here.. Eat your own crap... pic.twitter.com/KYtvnmZFbM
— MediaCrooks (@mediacrooks) July 11, 2015
When @chetan_bhagat ji mocked Indians for poor English..he basically mocked all those who bought his books..those who made him Chetan Bhagat
— Paresh Rawal (@Babu_Bhaiyaa) July 11, 2015
Seems Chetan Bhagat ji & Sagarika ji competing with each other to publish his/her most bizarre article in TOI.But they can't match ShobhaaDe
— Paresh Rawal (@Babu_Bhaiyaa) July 11, 2015
Chetan Bhagat- Deti hai toh de warna kat le Girl- *Slaps* Chetan Bhagat- *Writes Article* Hindi Speaking guys don't get laid.
— Ankur Singh (@BihariTweeter) July 11, 2015
According to Chetan Bhagat impeccable English beats facts and logic hands down. Now I understand why he is laughed at everywhere he goes.
— ChopdaSaab (@Keisar_) July 11, 2015
Chetan Bhagat remind me a character of 3 idiots movie who did engineering then MBA and later worked as a Banker and end up as a Looser. ????????
— Chicken Biryani (@ChickenBiryanii) July 11, 2015
If Chetan Bhagat has a problem with sexually frustrated people with weak communication skills in English, who will read his books then?
— dorku (@Dorkstar) July 11, 2015
Chetan Bhagat pointing at weak English of trolls is as rich as his trolls pointing at his weak writing.
— Rahul Roushan (@rahulroushan) July 11, 2015