Meena Kandasamy on decoding the Indian incel
Poet-author Meena Kandasamy discussed the Indian incel and online misogyny at The Hindu’s Lit for Life Unplugged, linking trolling, political capture, and the Pollachi case to broader gendered violence online. She tied her new book Fieldwork as a Sex Object to these themes and reflected on MeToo and
Key takeaways
- Kandasamy identifies an Indian version of the incel as a organized, politically oriented online threat rather than a simple social category.
- She links trolling and misogyny online to larger questions of governance, media portrayal, and feminist activism.
- Her new book Fieldwork as a Sex Object is part of the context for these discussions, released in India in June.
What Happened
At The Hindu’s Lit for Life Unplugged event, held at Amethyst’s Wild Garden Bar, poet-author Meena Kandasamy spoke about online gender dynamics and the Indian version of the incel, contrasting it with Western definitions. She described a tightly organized, corporatised far-right manosphere in India that engages in coordinated harassment and troll activity, and suggested that these groups aim to seize political power. The discussion also touched on her latest book, Fieldwork as a Sex Object (Harper Collins), which released in June this year in India.
During the session, interviewer Vaishna Roy of Frontline prompted questions on a wide range of topics, including politics, privilege, troll farms, activism, the male gaze, big tech, and the Me Too movement. Kandasamy noted that she has faced significant trolling on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and cited the Pollachi sexual abuse and extortion case from 2019 as a turning point she calls the “fulcrum of blackmail.” She argued that women online who live counter to patriarchal norms are often portrayed as shameless, and that trolling persists even when women attempt to own their identities. She also criticized big tech as inherently misogynistic and asserted that agency is routinely vilified online regardless of stated opinions.
On the Me Too movement, she said feminism should be claimed across the political spectrum, and emphasized that gains over time have not vanished. She suggested that progress is dependent on sustaining momentum and resisting attempts to silence dissent. When asked how one can be a “good feminist,” she acknowledged the complexities surrounding desire and gender politics, noting that the question itself can be provocative in certain contexts. The event concluded with a book signing, as attendees engaged with the author on privilege, appropriation, and related topics.
Why It Matters
The discussion links online gendered harassment to broader social and political dynamics in India, highlighting how digital spaces intersect with patriarchy, media representation, and governance. By tying individual experiences of trolling to systemic patterns and a high-profile criminal case, the remarks illuminate how online abuse can influence public discourse and policy debates around feminism, censorship, and platform responsibility. The emphasis on MeToo-era activism and safety online underscores ongoing questions about freedom of expression, accountability, and the balance between sensational online content and anti-harassment efforts.
Background
The speaker referenced the Pollachi sexual abuse and extortion case from 2019 as a critical example of online blackmail and misogynistic targeting. She described the Indian incarnation of the incel as distinct from Western usage, noting the presence of organized hostility and troll operations within a political milieu. The conversation also engaged with the Me Too movement and broader feminist discourse, including debates about agency, social perception of women online, and the challenges of achieving real-world impact.
Key Facts
- The event was the ninth edition of The Hindu’s Lit for Life Unplugged and took place at Amethyst’s Wild Garden Bar.
- Meena Kandasamy spoke about the Indian incel and contrasted it with Western definitions.
- She described a corporatised, coordinated Indian far-right manosphere with troll farms and attempts at political capture.
- Her latest book, Fieldwork as a Sex Object, released in June this year in India.
- Interviewer was Vaishna Roy, Editor, Frontline.
- She cited the Pollachi sexual abuse and extortion case from 2019 as a key example of online blackmail.
- She discussed trolling on X (formerly Twitter) and misogyny in relation to women exercising agency online.
- She linked the MeToo movement to broader calls for feminism across political spectrums and argued against silence in the face of backlash.
- The session ended with a book signing after the discussion.
What Happens Next
No scheduled follow-up events are listed in the source material. The discussion signals ongoing engagement with issues of online gendered harassment, feminism, and platform accountability, which may influence future talks, interviews, or author appearances related to Fieldwork as a Sex Object and its themes.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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