Twitter Stands in Solidarity Against Hate with #MyNameInUrdu

Twitterverse banded together to stand up against hate and bigotry with #MyNameInUrdu.

After Twitter user Prabha Raj used Urdu to write her “Hindu” name as her Twitter handle, she became the new target for trolls. This did not happen for her politically-inclined tweets, but for her ‘assumed identity’ as a Muslim.

After having had enough of the trolls and abuse, Prabha, who goes by the handle @deepsealioness, noticed that Muslim handles get the “worst trolls”.

Sexually graphic abusive memes & being called sister or mother f*cker is what am subjected to in last few days bcos I’m using my “Hindu” name in Urdu. It doesn’t matter who you are,if your name is assumed to be a Muslim,you get the worst trolls

Not changing the name, FU trolls

— ‏ Prabha پر بھا প্রভা (@deepsealioness) January 5, 2019

After her tweet, many on Twitter banded together to stand up against hate and bigotry, and wrote their names in Urdu.

#MyNameinUrdu is an interesting trend, interesting to see many people trying to write their names in #Urdu - using translators, wrong spellings - just like nursery class kids. #BePositive, same goes for #MyNameinHindi <3

— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) January 7, 2019

#MyNameinUrdu, I am trying to RT every single voice against hate which came out naturally with no compulsions . If I did not nothing personal my notifications are on fire so I might miss. But I love every single one of you,you give me hope. I don’t know even one alphabet in Urdu

— ‏ Prabha پر بھا প্রভা (@deepsealioness) January 6, 2019

Love always triumphs hate, we common people have no time for hatred, we are just busy living our life, surviving our daily struggles, we wish no harm to anyone it's just that simple, we just wish all to live in a livable country with dignity

— Gourav Chakraborty ‏‎‎گورو چکرابورتی (@MutilatedDreams) January 8, 2019

فیصل ملک
That is #MyNameinUrdu
Wo karen baat to har lafz se khushbu aaye,
Aisi boli wohi bole ji se #urdu aaye!@deepsealioness

— Faisal Malik فیصل ملک (@faisalmushtaque) January 6, 2019

Urdu is a beautiful language. A language of love, grace and finesse. In the words of Gulzar Saab, "Woh yaar hai jo khushbu ki tarah, woh jiski zubaan Urdu ki tarah..." Thanks @deepsealioness for #MyNameInUrdu

— Parminder Singh پرمیندر سنگھ (@parrysingh) January 7, 2019

#MyNameinUrdu started by @deepsealioness is an earnest effort to de-saffronize India. if anything, please think about how much this country is about forgetting, rewriting, and reframing. if the trend makes you uncomfortable, reflect - and also please unfollow me.

— noor نور (@coldbakedgoods) January 7, 2019

On Urdu - my great-grandfather grew up in Lahore. He learned Urdu and Farsi in school, and was also deeply religious. When I visited him last year, I saw him reading the Guru Granth Sahib in Urdu. This isn’t an anomaly, this is my/our life #MyNameinUrdu. Thank you @deepsealioness

— noor نور (@coldbakedgoods) January 7, 2019

such a beautiful thing. we stereotype our hate in small but significant ways, & @YoursLegallyy, @deepsealioness & so many others in India have begun a movement to deflect the hate minorities face online, on to themselves. hope we can have a similar show of solidarity here 💗🙏🏽 https://t.co/lNHJMvFgPD

— मेहर (@curlistani) January 6, 2019

So proud of my beautiful friend @deepsealioness for starting the #MyNameInUrdu movement which, one hopes, will take the shape of a revolution. The fight against majoritarianism is on. The fire's burning and will be kept alive by everyone who participated. Hats off to all of you!

— ایشا (@farago_exaspera) January 6, 2019

Thank you @deepsealioness for taking up this!
There are many more like me who at depth have love, respect and fascination for people, languages, food but don’t express it.
We need it.
We need to express!
Idea of INDIA needs it.
Love is defeating Hate.

— Divesh Garg | دیویش گرگ (@DiveshSpeaks) January 7, 2019

Something Javed Sa'ab has said several times in his talks: Hindi and Urdu are, for all practical purposes, the same language. 80-90% of the words are the same. So is the grammar and syntax.

Perception of difference exists not due to linguistics, but politics.#MyNameInUrdu

— Hussain Haidry | حسین حیدری (@hussainhaidry) January 6, 2019

#MyNameinUrdu #MyNameInHindi #mycountryislove#LoveWins
@deepsealioness thanks for breaking the rock to let in the ray of hope. There's still love amongst us. There's still hope for our future generation.

— समीर खान سمير خان (@SAMEER_KHAN7486) January 7, 2019

Wrote my first name in Urdu (ساحل) and last name in Hindi (यादव) to give a message of inclusivity. We all are Indians. #MyNameInUrdu #MyNameInHindi

— ساحلSahil Yadav यादव (@yadav93sahil) January 7, 2019

Many users also volunteered their time to translate people’s names to Urdu for the movement.

I think this is a new trend in #Indian twitter to write your name in Urdu. If you want your name written in Urdu just ping me.

— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) January 6, 2019

I have transliterated more than 300 names to Urdu within 24 hours ie. since 11:30 pm yesterday.#MyNameInUrdu

— Congress For 2019. (@RangDeTiranga) January 7, 2019

Soon, #MyNameInUrdu became a top trend in India!

#MyNameInUrdu is today's No. 1 organic trend! Love trumps hate ❤ Congratulations @deepsealioness for starting this beautiful trend! I've just added mine :) Lovely addition to bio page.

— Shehla Rashid شہلا رشید (@Shehla_Rashid) January 6, 2019

I literally love you all,every single of you who stood up against hate & bigotry. It was never my movement,I asked nobody to change name,Not one . But this is an befitting answer to hate. I want to apologise to all Muslims ,I am sorry we didn’t do better but we will #MyNameInUrdu

— ‏ Prabha پر بھا প্রভা (@deepsealioness) January 7, 2019