Social media's response to Prachi Nigam's academic success marred by body shaming over her facial hair underscores the pervasive gender bias and societal pressures faced by girls and women.
Yet again, we wake up to the same old story: people mocking girls for not fitting unrealistic beauty standards. In the latest episode of body shaming, there's Prachi Nigam, a teenager from Uttar Pradesh. She aced her class 10th boards with a whopping 98.5 percent. But instead of celebrating her success, some folks on social media decided to shame her for having facial hair. Nobody knows where this trolling spree begins online, but recently, a tweet making fun of Prachi's 'grooming skills' went viral. The tweet in question suggested that even though Prachi excelled academically, she should 'work on her grooming skills.'
This is UP board topper Prachi Nigam and she scored 98.5%
— Ronak Misra (@RonakMisra) April 20, 2024
She should focus on grooming herself as wellpic.twitter.com/HhlW5rahFC
Also Read: 12th Fail and Aspirants - A dual crash course in civil services!
The man who posted this tweet justified his ‘opinion’ in the comments.
Her achievement is extraordinary and I have no intention of making fun of her(she might have PCOS). My opinion is related to importance of grooming only
— Ronak Misra (@RonakMisra) April 20, 2024
Life is only gonna get tougher, she needs to embrace all the positives and negatives
— Ronak Misra (@RonakMisra) April 20, 2024
When someone suggested that Prachi might be suffering from PCOS/ PCOD, he still emphasized grooming.
PCOS is very common these days, my advice is based on importance of grooming only
— Ronak Misra (@RonakMisra) April 20, 2024
The original tweet spread on Twitter with many giving similar ‘opinions’ on Prachi’s facial features. Some questioned her gender while some had (unsolicited) advice for her. The creative ones, on the other hand, used AI to create a picture of her without facial hair.
Basic grooming is necessary to be successful in life... Nobody is asking her to apply fair n lovely or foundation. Shaving off hair will do not harm, will only enhance her personality
— Peter-endra Griffin 🇮🇳 (@PeterGriffin720) April 21, 2024
Why does she have a moustache? Is she a transgender? #justasking
— notional_reality (@turning_axis) April 21, 2024
There must be 280 minimum toppers (rank holders) in the country from 28 states. How many has such moustache?
basic grooming and hygiene is part of discipline and healthy lifestyle.....
— Mr. Stark (@beingadhiraj) April 21, 2024
this is equally ridiculous as not taking shower or not changing clothes or not cutting nails 👎
"stop justifying everything" https://t.co/FR0sTsicVT
Her parents should've taken care of that while in school, before coming on camera. Had a pretty colleague with hirsutism but she always groomed herself well. Got married recently and her husband is also aware of it.
— Pagan-Wing (@Times4India) April 21, 2024
She looks confident but will soon figure out world is cruel. https://t.co/LZgfOH7CKg
Her father needs to be punished for not giving proper nutrition, enforcing bed time and workout routine. Education ministry need to be punished for forcing her into the same education system that was perfected for men over centuries. Women have brain plasticity, can wait 4 books. https://t.co/W5cmUdj3n6
— दध्यंच सन्तति आश्रम (@DadhichFunds) April 23, 2024
You can easily find hair removal foam that you can apply anywhere if you don't wanna shave , wax ...
— Ahirāṃśa (@ahir_amsha) April 21, 2024
This girl can easily get laser hair removal. Also, treat the underlying cause which is acute PCOS. https://t.co/eZ0usMslDJ
I agree with you , and I think she should groom herself a bit,not for anyone but for her own self.
— Mehnaz Amjad (@Mehnaz_Amjad) April 21, 2024
There's nothing wrong in indulging in some self care that includes grooming.
as a 16 year old, she should https://t.co/DFjAbH36rV
— ray (@deadst4r) April 21, 2024
Depends on her condition, but seriously testing and then diet should be the first line of action. Females will not lose weight in these type of hormonal imbalance situations no matter what sorta micromanaging they do if they remain on the standard Indian high carb diet. https://t.co/NyR9kmyJLh
— Wise Vanara (@wise_vanara) April 21, 2024
A girl tops the boards but even that isn’t enough for society. Nobody asked Prachi or considered her voice but everyone had an opinion on her. A more pressing question is that when a girl as academically successful as Prachi isn’t safe from gender-based trolling, sexism, and body shaming, what happens to the rest of the girls and women in this country? What about queer folks? What about women who have facial hair simply out of genetics and cannot blame PCOD/PCOS? Hell, what about women who choose to flaunt their facial hair? While the situation seems and is bleak, there is some hope in knowing that a lot of social media users stood in support of Prachi.
This isn't about "grooming", this is about gender. Noone would have made these comments if the kid was a boy, but girls aren't "supposed" to have hair. This is about policing the boundaries of gender. There is no gender possible without the work of its violent enforcement https://t.co/DihIc6Wdcp
— Become Unsearchable 🏳️🌈 (@SomeLatinWord) April 21, 2024
Everyone discussing dis, PCOS or not, SHE'S 15, she's not even supposed to come under the radar of what men think how women shud luk lyk. She's a young girl doing what she shud b doing, making herself proud.
— TLove (Hera) (@HeraTells) April 21, 2024
Leave her alone and let her study. Ronak pls stfu, u sound like a pedo https://t.co/StYBo3It64
hey ronak! you should focus on minding your own business and not giving unsolicited advice to young girls on subjects you don’t know and will never know anything about. hope that helps 🫶
— nicky★彡 (@all2wellnt) April 21, 2024
And out of all the issues in the world, you chose a prodigy not to praise but to judge her when she's not even an adult and for what? Being herself? Or not giving paying attention to these hair growth(which is bloody normal).
— Prachi_dz #TuHai💙🏠🌧 (@notsopracheen) April 21, 2024
As a girl I am so proud to see her look beyond beauty!
men really think ALL women exist to be attractive to them, even if it's underaged high schoolers https://t.co/l19f0xHt3i
— p ⚢ 🍉 (@herclawscomeout) April 21, 2024
She’s a child who might have some health issues. Whether she grooms herself or not, is her choice. Let her be. Last time people trolled a minor for doing make up, he ended up ending his life. Have some shame, you insensitive fvxks! https://t.co/CD3hbCmPAG
— Mehreen. (@iMehreenAlam) April 21, 2024
I have a weekly breakdown over how much fucking time, money and mental space I would save if I didn’t feel psychologically shackled to the scorching demands of presenting femininely. her defiance of it probably contributed to her focus. good for her. you will rot in hell https://t.co/QNB8YXojjn
— pindi girl #2 (@fiiraaq) April 21, 2024
“…focus on grooming herself.” so that she can start catering to the male gaze and then feel disgusted about the said male gaze and how all women even after trying their best to fit themselves in conventional standards of beauty and still fail? https://t.co/D6x6itarUn
— Arushi (@ayerushi) April 21, 2024
All the negativity Prachi Nigam facing for her looks despite being brilliant as a student and a topper. And then we also want to criticise Jahnavi Kapoor for getting work done. We can’t decide which side we are on but let’s always being down women no matter what. pic.twitter.com/Dd8wQnGyMJ
— M (@mann_baawra) April 21, 2024
If X is nasty, it is also a place for the good people. Support to the UP Board topper #PrachiNigam far outnumbers the trolling over her physical appearance. Btw, a special place in hell for those doing this to a child. Awadh, UP and an entire nation is proud of Prachi.
— Sanket Upadhyay (@sanket) April 22, 2024
Prachi Nigam ... You rock girl!!
— Anamika A. 🇮🇳 (@Delhiwalididi) April 21, 2024
Hormonal imbalance is a real deal... From facial hair, mood swings to painful menstruation.. You faced it all n emerged out as winner. In this age of filters n fillers, I haven't seen a girl more confident n secure than you.. God bless you pic.twitter.com/LswcY2aP8z
It is exhausting to be a girl; everyone has an opinion about you and no matter how hard you try, you always end up falling short. Perhaps wisdom lies in acknowledging that we cannot and should not please everyone. Academic achievements, no ‘grooming,’ whatever makes YOU happy, should be and is enough. Here’s to many more Prachi Nigams who continue to inspire us with the radical act of being themselves.
For more such content, follow us @socialketchup.