JAIPUR: A well-known female social media influencer from Jodhpur in Rajasthan is in critical condition in hospital after she attempted to end her life by consuming a toxic substance, reportedly driven to despair by sustained online trolling and mental harassment.
Anita Bishnoi was admitted to the intensive care unit of MDM Hospital, where doctors are treating her. Hospital Superintendent Dr Vikas Rajpurohit said her condition is currently stable, though the next 24 hours remain critical.
Anita, who commands a significant following with approximately 1.3 million on Facebook and more than 645,000 on Instagram, was known for posting content on Rajasthan’s culture, folk traditions, social issues, and public awareness. Her husband, Dinesh Bishnoi, another influencer, was not at home when the incident occurred. Family members found her unconscious and rushed her to the hospital.
Dinesh Bishnoi alleged that another influencer from their community, identified as Malaram, had been repeatedly targeting Anita with trolling and inciting other content creators against her. He also claimed that some family members had issued threats to the couple. According to him, Anita went live on Instagram around 10 am on Wednesday, accusing Malaram of harassment before indicating she might take extreme steps.
In an emotional post prior to the incident, Anita had written about the importance of a woman’s dignity and questioned what recourse a woman has when that dignity is repeatedly attacked. The trolling reportedly intensified after she shared a video containing reflective lines: “If clothes become scant, where will modesty come from? If ‘roti’ is replaced by bread, where will strength come from? If humans become slaves to money, where will love come from?”
During her Instagram live session, Anita told her followers that while dying was not easy, those seeking to defame her would gain nothing. She urged critics to confront her directly or let the police handle the matter, adding that “your sister would no longer be seen” from that day onward. Many followers responded with messages of support, encouraging her to stay strong and ignore baseless accusations.
Anita hails from Lathi village in Jaisalmer district. Family members noted she had been under significant stress lately due to the online harassment and a separate land dispute. Police and the family are continuing to investigate the full circumstances.