iWorld
Awkward silence as Awkward Goat’s X account gets pulled down
MUMBAI: When the influencer known as Awkward Goat disappeared from X this week, it set off a storm of speculation. Her real name is Divija Bhasin, a counselling psychologist-turned-content creator and while the exact reason for her suspension remains unconfirmed, the timing coincides with a heated controversy around her recent “Proud R-word” campaign.
Bhasin’s campaign sought to reclaim the slur “randi” (a word historically used to degrade women, including sex workers) by calling herself “a proud randi,” a move that sparked widespread backlash. Critics argued that her reclamation effort trivialises the word’s painful history.
At least one complainant has filed a First Information Report (FIR), alleging that Bhasin’s campaign influenced minors to adopt the slur in their social media bios.
Bhasin responded defiantly: “If I go to jail … I’ll happily go if it means people will finally start taking verbal abuse against women seriously.”
Though she’s built a significant following as a mental health advocate Forbes India ranked her among its top digital creators. Bhasin has also drawn criticism over whether she is sufficiently qualified. Some social media users have challenged her use of the title “psychologist,” alleging she misrepresents her credentials.
She’s also been accused of blocking critics, including those who say she spreads “inaccuracy and misinformation” in her psychology-related content.
This isn’t Bhasin’s first run-in with public outrage. Earlier, she floated unconventional views on marriage refusing to wear sindoor or mangalsutra, not taking her husband’s surname, and describing her relationship on her own terms.
That video too drew both praise and criticism, with some lauding her modern take and others rebuking her for what they saw as an intentional provocation.
While X (formerly Twitter) has not confirmed the reason behind the suspension, some observers link it to the backlash surrounding her “Proud R-word” activism. The legal complaints, especially relating to minors and a sensitive slur, align with a volatile moment in her public journey. Others speculate it could be a content moderation move, or even linked to mass reporting campaigns.
Why It Matters
. Influencer accountability: Bhasin’s story raises bigger questions about influencers reclaiming controversial language, and where the line lies between empowerment and harm.
. Platform responsibility: Whether the suspension is for policy violations or reputational damage, it highlights how platforms like X handle creator conduct amid public outcry.
. Mental health discourse: As a self-identified psychologist, Bhasin’s run-ins reflect the tension between influencer content and professional responsibility. Critics argue that her provocative style undermines trust in mental health advice.
. Social activism vs. backlash: The episode demonstrates how social movements can erupt but also combust when rooted in reclaimed words that carry deep historical trauma.
For now, Divija Bhasin has not publicly confirmed why her X account was suspended. Whether the “Proud R-word” controversy is directly linked remains unverified, but the convergence of backlash, legal pressure, and platform penalties has made this one of the most widely watched influencer controversies in recent months.
iWorld
T20 World Cup ’26: India–England semi-final sets global streaming record of 619 million views on JioHotstar
India–England semi-final records 65.2 million peak streams
MUMBAI: The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 set a new milestone in global sports streaming, as the India–England semi-final drew record digital audiences on JioHotstar.
The match on 5 March registered 65.2 million peak concurrent viewers, the highest ever recorded for a live event on any streaming platform worldwide. The semi-final also generated 619 million views, making it the most streamed T20 international match in history.
The landmark audience numbers were driven largely by viewers in India, setting a record achieved within a single market, rather than through aggregated viewership across multiple countries.
The high-scoring encounter between India national cricket team and England cricket team produced 499 runs across both innings, fuelling widespread fan engagement across platforms.
According to the International Cricket Council, the digital record surpassed the previous global benchmark of 65 million concurrent viewers, set in November 2024 by another international streaming platform.
Across television and digital platforms combined, the semi-final reached more than 320 million viewers, while total watch time exceeded 23 billion minutes, making it the most watched T20 international match ever.
“This World Cup demonstrates the immense passion of cricket fans and the progress made in bringing the game closer to audiences worldwide,” said ICC chairman Jay Shah.
“This moment reflects the scale of cricket fandom in India and the technological capability required to serve hundreds of millions of viewers simultaneously.”
JioStar vice-chairman Uday Shankar, said the audience surge underscored the future of large-scale digital entertainment.
“One in every three Indians tuned in to watch the second semi-final. Delivering such an experience at scale requires the very best of technology,” he said.
The 619 million views during the match also eclipsed the 533 million views recorded during the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
With the final yet to be played, the 2026 tournament has already set multiple benchmarks in audience reach and digital engagement.
India will face the New Zealand national cricket team in the final on 8 March at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar.
