Meghalaya: Top lady administrator slut shamed for urging people to vaccinate

Shillong: East Khasi Hills’ top administrator, Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo was only doing her job to ensure people are safe from COVID-19 by urging citizens to get vaccinated. But being on the receiving end of vulgar and sexist comments from Meghalaya’s anti-vaxxers was not part of that job.

A screenshot message that has been circulated widely through WhatsApp across Meghalaya has a picture of Laloo with the headline ‘No vaccination, no reopening of shops.’ A comment on the post by one Donlad Shylla, when roughly translated to English, reads: “DC we will not take the vaccine even if you offer us your va***a.”

The message under circulation has infuriated people across Meghalaya, including chief minister Conrad Sangma and senior journalist Patricia Mukhim.

The chief minister took to Twitter to condemn the nasty comments aimed at the DC.

“Condemn the distasteful comments made on the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills district who has been executing her duties to the best of her ability to ensure the safety of all residents,” Sangma tweeted.

“Supporting the administration that is tirelessly working through this pandemic is the least we can do as responsible citizens,” the chief minister added.

Senior journalist and editor of The Shillong Times Patricia Mukhim said, “Some sick person has just circulated the most vulgar Whatsapp message that defames our young and dynamic Deputy Commissioner East Khasi Hills. If police can’t get this criminal then it’s a collective shame.”

“This is a reaction to the DC’s order urging all who drive commercial vehicles and those running businesses and vendors to be vaccinated, failing which, they shall not be able to operate… This is necessary to enable opening up. The other alternative is the Lockdown. But blockheads without any sense of reasoning and without the vocabulary to argue just lash out in the most despicable language. I wonder where such men are born from? Didn’t they come out of a woman’s vagina? Then why is the vagina so demonised? Sickening,” Mukhim wrote on her Facebook page.

The comments made by a social media user Donlad Shylla have been criticised by many across Meghalaya.

While many are praising Laloo for doing her duties diligently, the DC has so far not reacted to the comments and continues to urge people to come forward to take the vaccine.

“I cannot understand why is this happening? Our DC is a very dynamic lady and she has taken the best call for her district. There is no alternative to Vaccine to get rid of this dreaded menace i.e.Covid,” a Facebook user commented.

Another user reacted: “It is so typical of ignorant fools to always resort to malicious attacks. If people continue to resist taking the vaccine, we may run the risk of the virus mutating more and more that may even render the currently vaccinated people the ability to lose their immunity.”

Another user wrote: “Outrageous …….more so targeting a lady working round the clock for welfare of each and every Meghalayan of the district.”

“If majority people had come out to take the vaccine themselves, the DC would not have to take such strict measures.. but what option was she left with.. despite losing family & friends to Covid, people are still not waking up.. it’s beyond my comprehension.. and the anonymity of digital media gives power to cowards to engage in shameful language.. they should be punished sternly,” wrote yet another user.

Will the Meghalaya police take action against such distasteful and sexist comments against the woman administrator?

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