Namita Thapar Hits Back: ‘Silence Is Not a Virtue, God Is Watching’

Spread love

Shark Tank India Judge and Pharma Executive Faces Three Weeks of Gendered Abuse Over a Wellness Video — Then Stops Her Car at 7 AM to Fight Back

By S. JHA

Mumbai, April 21, 2026 — In one of the most charged social media flashpoints involving a prominent Indian business leader this year, Namita Thapar, Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals and a judge on Shark Tank India, has hit back hard at weeks of relentless online abuse — and the corporate fallout has already begun.

The storm began on March 25, when Thapar posted an Instagram reel shortly after Eid, discussing the health benefits of Namaz. In the video, she described Namaz as a full-body exercise that aids digestion, promotes flexibility, and supports mental health. She also noted that certain postures in Namaz, including Vajrasana, support digestive health and offer a pause from daily chaos, and that the repetitive, meditative rhythm of the prayer can help reduce stress and enhance focus — particularly during community gatherings such as Eid.

For three weeks, the video drew little mainstream notice. Then it exploded.

The controversy erupted in late March 2026 after the reel resurfaced, triggering a barrage of online attacks from sections of social media, including Hindu nationalist voices. In a new video posted on April 20, Thapar revealed that for three weeks, people had been continuously calling her derogatory names and hurling abusive slurs at her mother as well.

Some users on X demanded a boycott of Thapar and her company. One user wrote that citizens were simply questioning her “blatant religious double standards” and that seeking accountability was not trolling.

In a video recorded during her morning commute at 7 am on April 20, a visibly emotional Thapar declared that silence is not a virtue and emphasised the importance of speaking up when one’s dignity or family is attacked.

In her post on X, she wrote: “I left for Bombay at 6.30 am like the hard working professional that I am and stopped the car at 7 am to make this reel as I’ve long realised that silence is not a virtue and one must speak up when they are disrespected.”

She stated: “I was taught that ‘R for Religion’ stands for ‘R for Respect’ — is this what respect looks like, especially towards women? When the reservation bill did not pass, everyone raised their voice, but when women are treated with such disrespect, why is there silence?”

Calling out the inconsistency in the backlash, Thapar said: “I’ve made several reels on Hindu rituals and their health benefits as well… every Yoga Day, I share videos on asanas, especially Surya Namaskar, and no one said anything then.”

Kate Middleton: Social media debates Covid & cancer linkages

She described herself as a healthcare professional and a proud Hindu, and emphasised that religion should stand for respect, especially towards women.

In the caption accompanying her video, Thapar wrote: “The purpose of this reel is to request all the proud Indians in this country to start speaking up when they see something wrong, out of humanity, out of patriotism.”

She closed with a pointed message to her abusers: “Continue at your own discretion because God is watching you all.”

Author and speaker Shefali Vaidya responded to Thapar’s clap-back video with a post on X calling for a boycott of Emcure products, urging users to “hit them where it hurts.”

The markets noticed. Shares of Emcure Pharmaceuticals slipped over 3% on Monday, even as the broader market rallied — the stock under pressure as the controversy widened. Emcure Pharmaceuticals was trading at ₹1,604.10, on Tuesday during the noon session.

WHO IS NAMITA THAPAR?

Born in Pune in 1977, Thapar is part of a business family — her father Satish Mehta founded Emcure Pharmaceuticals. A Chartered Accountant and MBA graduate from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, she began her career in the United States before returning to India to join the family business. The company today has a presence in over 70 countries, making it one of India’s significant pharmaceutical players. Thapar’s public profile rose sharply with her role as a judge-investor on Shark Tank India, where she is known for her cautious investment style and focus on sustainable growth.

The Thapar controversy is a textbook case of how social media outrage — however lopsided — can now inflict real financial damage on listed companies within hours. It also surfaces a recurring and uncomfortable debate in India: whether prominent public figures face asymmetric scrutiny depending on which religious tradition they choose to discuss.

Thapar framed the backlash explicitly as “selective outrage,” questioning why discussions around practices from non-Hindu religions consistently provoke sharper reactions than equivalent commentary on Hindu traditions. The argument resonated with a significant section of social media users who praised her for consistency and inclusiveness — while others continued to troll her and accused her of playing the victim card.

What distinguishes this episode is Thapar’s refusal to go quiet. She chose to respond on camera, mid-commute, without a PR filter — a calculated act of transparency that put her personal narrative ahead of the corporate one. Whether it costs Emcure further on the bourses, or ultimately humanises the brand, remains to be seen.

The broader question her episode raises is one India’s public discourse has not yet answered cleanly: where does legitimate critique of a public figure’s views end, and where does coordinated abuse — particularly of women in business — begin?

Profile of Kunal Kamra: The Comedian Who Thrives in Controversy

KEY QUOTES AT A GLANCE

Namita Thapar: “Silence is not a virtue and one must speak up when they are disrespected.”

Namita Thapar: “I’ve made reels on Hindu rituals and their health benefits… every Yoga Day I share Surya Namaskar videos and no one said anything then.”

Namita Thapar: “God is watching you all.”

Namita Thapar (on her faith): Self-described as a “proud Hindu” who believes religion means respect, especially for women.

Shefali Vaidya (critic): Called for a boycott of Emcure products in response to Thapar’s reply video.