Kazakhstan social media users are increasingly publicly condemning statements or events that contradict generally accepted norms, and are calling for sackings, boycotts of brands, and the cancellation of artists' projects. However, sometimes such campaigns go beyond their original purpose — the recent story involving the wife of rapper Qurt became a striking example of how cancel culture can turn into digital vigilantism.
In the US, the term "cancel culture" became widely known in the 2010s against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement. Gradually, this phenomenon took hold in other countries, including the Kazakh media space. The mechanism works simply: users massively condemn someone who, in their opinion, has violated generally accepted norms of morality or ethics.
At the beginning of July this year, Aruzhan Koishubayeva accused her husband — the well-known rapper Damir Koishubayev, known under the pseudonym Qurt, of domestic violence. She published photos of bruises and told how her husband beat her with a belt, knowing she was pregnant.
The public reacted instantly. And unsurprisingly. After all, the topic of domestic violence in Kazakhstan remains extremely sensitive — for many years such cases were silenced, and now every similar story provokes a particularly sharp response.
The woman was supported, funds were raised for lawyers, and there were calls for a boycott of the rapper's work. However, the outcome turned out to be unexpected. Already on July 10th, Aruzhan Koishubayeva stated that she did not file a statement against her husband regarding the assault and emphasised that she loves him.
"Regarding the case which I published on my social media, I refused to give a statement, referring to part 3 of Article 32 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ('Cases of private, private-public and public prosecution and accusation')," said Koishubayeva.
According to this article, a criminal case cannot be initiated without a statement from the victim. The girl also refused to undergo a forensic medical examination.
This turn of events provoked a mixed reaction in society. Many social media users expressed bewilderment at the logic of what happened and questioned the advisability of publicly highlighting a family conflict without the intention of taking the matter through official proceedings. After refusing to give a statement, the woman began to receive negative reactions on social media — criticism from those who had initially expressed support for her.
The story with Qurt and his wife shows the full complexity and contradictory nature of modern social processes. On the one hand, cancel culture can become an important tool for drawing attention to serious problems, such as domestic violence, which have long been hushed up. Public condemnation can force society to pay attention to pressing social issues and prompt action.
On the other hand, this case demonstrates the risks of uncontrolled mobilisation of public opinion. When personal stories become public, they acquire their own dynamic of development, which can spiral out of control even for those who originally initiated them. The emotional reaction of the masses often leaves no room for the nuances and complexity of human relationships.
And the main problem with cancel culture is that it eliminates the space for dialogue. Everyone makes mistakes, but the opportunity to give an explanation or apologise is often lost in the wave of public condemnation. In Kazakhstan, criticism on the internet often turns into cyberbullying. When discussing topics related to religion, gender or nationality, arguments quickly escalate into mutual accusations. This format of communication destroys the prospects for constructive discussion and hinders finding solutions.
In an era when every word can become grounds for a public trial, it is important to remember: behind the screens are real people with their own complex stories.