- Bilkul Online
- New Delhi | 21 April 2026
Namita Thapar, judge on Shark Tank India and Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, on Monday hit back at trolls after facing online backlash over her remarks on the health benefits of namaz posted on Instagram in March.
Thapar said she and her mother were subjected to abusive comments following her social media post, prompting her to respond strongly and call out what she termed selective outrage. Questioning the criticism, she pointed out that her earlier comments on the benefits of Surya Namaskar did not attract similar reactions. In a video message, Thapar, who described herself as a healthcare professional and a ‘proud Hindu’, emphasised that religion should stand for respect, especially towards women, and said people must speak up against disrespect. She also told trolls to ‘continue at your own discretion’, adding that actions have consequences. “I have been taught that ‘R for Religion’ means ‘R for Respect’. Is this what respect looks like, especially towards women?

