Chinmayi Sripada Defends KBC 17 Contestant Against Online Bullying
The internet may have turned against KBC 17’s young contestant Ishit Bhatt, but singer Chinmayi Sripada isn’t having it
If you’ve been following social media lately, you might have seen the controversy surrounding young Ishit Bhatt
from Kaun Banega Crorepati 17. What started as a sweet moment highlighting host Amitabh Bachchan’s
patience soon became a hotbed for memes and trolling.
The fifth-grade student from Gujarat initially charmed viewers with his confidence and quick-thinking. However,
harsh criticisms soon followed, labeling him “arrogant” and “disrespectful,” despite Bachchan maintaining
his usual calm demeanor throughout.
As clips from the episode circulated widely on platforms like Reddit and X (formerly Twitter), Ishit became a
trending topic, but not for the right reasons. The relentless trolling even caught the attention of playback
singer Chinmayi Sripada, prompting her to defend him.
Chinmayi Sripada defends the boy
On her X account, Sripada highlighted the irony of adults ridiculing a child online. She stated, “An adult
tweeting about the most hated kid… Many on here have been some of the foulest and abusive voices; none
spoke when children suffered due to a cough syrup.” She added, “This bullying of a single excited kid reflects
poorly on these adults.”
Chinmayi’s remarks have resonated with many, leading to an outpouring of support for the young contestant.
Comments on her post reflected the sentiment that online criticism of a child can be excessive. One user noted,
“It’s spreading like wildfire… We’ve all been misbehaved kids at some point, and life shapes our character.”
Another user expressed, “It’s heartbreaking; the kid may be precocious, but there’s no reason for hate toward
young ones.” This response emphasizes the need for compassion over judgment.
Have you ever witnessed online bullying? What are your thoughts on how we can foster a kinder environment online?
