Tue May 06 16:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Former Telangana Election Candidate, ‘Barrelakka Sirisha,’ Speaks Out Against Online Harassment
HYDERABAD, INDIA – Sirisha, popularly known as “Barrelakka” (meaning “shepherdess” in Telugu), a former independent candidate in the Telangana Assembly elections, has released a video expressing distress over relentless online harassment. Barrelakka gained widespread attention during the elections for her unique campaign and social media presence. While she only received 5,754 votes, her affidavit was downloaded over 100,000 times from the Election Commission website, highlighting her considerable online following.
Her initial viral fame stemmed from a video detailing her struggles finding employment after graduating, leading to her working as a shepherdess. This notoriety, while bringing her a large social media following and some support during the election, also resulted in substantial online trolling, which continues even after her marriage.
In her emotional video, Barrelakka recounts enduring significant emotional distress and mental anguish due to the constant harassment. She pleaded with her detractors to stop, asserting that karma will eventually catch up with them. She questions what she did to deserve such treatment. The video has since gone viral, reigniting the discussion surrounding online abuse and its impact on individuals.
First Piper 