In the world of glam, celebrities often deal with crazy fans. Some can be scary too. Taking the right step, actor Shruti Haasan recently registered a complaint against a cyber-stalker, who reportedly sent her abusive messages on Twitter and also threatened to stab her. Pop star Taylor Swift’s stalker, too, was put behind bars a few days ago after he followed her. He had also sent threatening emails to the singer’s father.
While most of the celebrities increase their security and file complaints against their creepy stalkers, our Bollywood diva Shraddha Kapoor decided to do just the opposite. At a recent event, the actor called her stalker — who had stalked her for the 17th time on the same day — on stage, introduced him to the audience and even hugged him!
This move has been criticised by experts, who say stalking is a serious issue and should not be taken lightly. She may have a top-of-the-line security and that may not put her in a risk-zone, but what about the general public? What if, stalkers, and victims of stalking, follow suit, thinking, if Shraddha Kapoor can hug the stalker, maybe that’s the right way. People do ape celebs after all.
Psychologist Diana Monteiro says, “I don’t understand why Shraddha would do anything like that. Stalking is dangerous. A stalker creates an imaginary relationship with the person in his head and can go to any extent. It’s not good to encourage stalking. This man had stalked her 17 times the same day. She may have security but the common public doesn’t. Whenever someone is stalked, legal action must be taken as soon as possible.”
ADGP and SHE team chief Swathi Lakra, adds, “Stalkers need medical attention and counselling. It doesn’t matter if it’s a celebrity or a common man, stalking shouldn’t be tolerated. If you are being stalked, definitely come and report it. We don’t reveal the victim’s name and serious action will be taken.”
Cyber crime inspector Riyazuddin says, “Cyber-stalking cases have increased in the city. Stalking should be taken seriously. The punishment is a three year jail term.”
Life coach Priya Kumar says that one must understand the difference between stalking and admiration. She says, “There is a little confusion in establishing and understanding an admirer and a stalker. If one is following someone everywhere she or he is a stalker. On social media, we follow people, we like — tracking their lives, what they eat, what they do, where they go, who they are in love with etc. But that’s not stalking. That’s admiration or curiosity. It’s not negative. But the same thing done with the intention of intrusion which can threaten the privacy of the person being followed would be stalking. So, I feel that the stalker of Shraddha Kapoor may have been a harmless admirer.”
