Kela Republic : Girls arrested for Facebook post criticizing Thackeray

[someone]

Dangerous times ahead for India. Really, we need more IT capable person in our top-level government. As our current government just is too negative and afraid by technology instead of seeing the infinite positives out there.

[Crookbond]

IG who was conducting enquiry in this case was supposed to submit his report by wednesday evening. Any idea if that has been submitted? would that report be made public?

It has to be - if they do not someone will file a RTI. Later the person who files the RTI will be hacked to death [0]. There will be another committee on the same and the cycle will continue. [0] http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/rti-activist-murdered/article4116507.ece

[Raghav_12]

It has to be - if they do not someone will file a RTI. Later the person who files the RTI will be hacked to death [0]. There will be another committee on the same and the cycle will continue. [0] http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/rti-activist-murdered/article4116507.ece

Sad news. But nothing gonna happen. Most people don't have time to bother about these minor incidents.

[Tiger80]

'Arresting the girls saved them from physical harm' http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-arresting-the-girls-saved-them-from-physical-harm/20121122.htm A Ganesh Nadar in Mumbai A Facebook post resulted in the arrest of two young girls in Palghar, Maharashtra. Rediff.com's A Ganesh Nadar met them and others present in Palghar to find out what actually happened. A remark on Facebook questioning the shutdown in Mumbai and Maharashtra for Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray's funeral led to the arrests of Shaheen Dhada and her friend Reenu Srinivasan. While Shaheen and Reenu were released on bail, ten men were arrested and sent to judicial custody for ransacking Shaheen's uncle's clinic. This was a case where the virtual world met the real world, and the real world reacted violently. Palghar is a town panchayat 87 kilometres from Mumbai on the Virar-Dahanu stretch to the north of Mumbai. The area outside Palghar station is as crowded as any other suburban railway station in Mumbai. The autorickshaw drivers are rude -- like many in Mumbai -- and after asking several of them, one finally agrees to take me to the Dhada hospital. On our way we see a huge freshly garlanded portrait of Balasaheb Thackeray in the middle of the road. Outside the hospital are three OB news television vans, with curious onlookers crowding around to see what is happening. Inside, the receptionist directs journalists to the consulting room. There are no patients around and women working in the hospital are seen giggling in a corner, perhaps enjoying the attention the hospital has been getting in recent days. Farook Dhada, Shaheen's father, is noncommittal when he is asked what he plans to do next. "What can I plan? The police have called us again; I am going to the police station," he says. In the consulting room, journalists crowd around Shaheen's uncle, Dr Abdul Gaffar Dhada, whose orthopaedic hospital was ransacked. He has both Shaheen and Reenu sitting next to him covered in veils with just their eyes visible. Shaheen and Reenu answer questions softly and carefully, giving politically correct statements. Shaheen says her comment on Facebook was offhand and she now regrets it. The girls add that lady constables were present when they were arrested and held at the Palghar police station. Makarand Patil is a ward councilor in Palghar. The 27-year-old with an MBA in human resources gave up his government job to become a politician. He is a member of the Bahujan Vikas Agadi, a political party that dominates the area. "We had just come back from the (Thackeray)funeral when we heard that some girl had insulted Balasaheb. We inquired and found out that it was this girl. All that the public demanded was that the statement be withdrawn," says Patil. "There is nothing wrong in demanding an apology. People had not even gone back home when this happened. Emotions were running high and the girl should not have written something like this," he feels. Rajesh, a local resident, shows us Shaheen's Facebook comment on his iPhone. "This girl may have many friends, but at least one-third of her friends must be from Palghar. The Dhadas are big shots here. They are well-known," he says. "What she wrote was shared and forwarded. Around six boys went to Shaheen's house and told her to take off the comment. She refused, saying there was no harm in what she had written," Rajesh adds. "One of the boys informed the Shiv Sena shakha pramukh, who lodged a formal complaint with the police. As he doesn't understand the Internet, the shakha pramukh took a lawyer along with him to the police," says Rajesh. A journalist at a local Marathi weekly newspaper had a different take on what occurred. "I was there when it happened. A mob gathered outside the hospital and later ransacked it. The girls are lucky the police arrested them. The mob was all charged up. They had just returned from the funeral and would have assaulted the girls if the cops had not taken them away," said the journalist, speaking on condition that he would not be identified by name for this report. People who witnessed the incident say the police were outnumbered. "They did the right thing by arresting the girls," says Rajesh Patil, a farmer. "The girls were wrong, so what is wrong in arresting them?" he asks. "Let the court decide their punishment or release them. The same rule applies for the boys who attacked the hospital," Patil adds. A member of the Dhada family insists that Shaheen was targeted because she is a Muslim. "The same people would have ignored the comment if she was from another community," the family member believes. The tahsildar's office and the police station are located in the same compound in Palghar. A large crowd watches the action from outside, debating who is right. "I want peace in Palghar -- that is my only desire," announces the mayor of Palghar. None of the accused look like they have used the Internet or have Facebook accounts. And none looks like they could be friends with Shaheen Dhadha on Facebook to read her posts. First Class Magistrate R G Bagade remands the ten men to 14 days in judicial custody. They are free to apply for bail individually. Rajesh Patil is upset with the order. "What do you mean judicial custody? Why can't they be allowed bail? It's not a serious crime they have committed," he says. Local journalists allege that most of the arrested men belong to the Shiv Sena, a point denied by local Sainiks. "They are members of the public. Are you saying only Sainiks attended the (Balasaheb Thackeray's) funeral?" "If they are not Shiv Sainiks, why are all the local Sena leaders here?" asks a journalist. "Even if they are not Sainiks, the Sena leaders have to come, as they have done this in support of their leader Balasaheb," Rajesh explains. The arrested men will probably be out on bail soon. They will likely become heroes. Their families will ask Shaheen and Reenu to be more careful with their comments on the Internet. The NewsCycle will ensure the case fades from the headlines soon. In India, life goes on.

[Crookbond]

You are allowed to express a wrong opinion in a democracy - FYI.

[kubrickian]

Its times like these which make me think there is not a lot of difference between India and Afghanistan. Anybody can take law into their own hands and dictate terms to anyone. :facepalm:

[Clarke]

Any Mumbaiya celebrities expressing support for the girls, or they're just too busy paying respect to the high & mighty Thackerays ? Some precedent does need to be set on the police paying a price for public harassment wrt arresting the girls & gross negligence in terms of letting those vandals off the hook. No one has faith in the mantris who control the police, maybe a higher court can do that

[The Outsider]

Any Mumbaiya celebrities expressing support for the girls, or they're just too busy paying respect to the high & mighty Thackerays ?

Haha, good point! I saw a number of posts from some posters expressing their solidarity with Thackarey because Tendulkar, Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan etc. etc. did so and how could they be wrong? I am sure they are doing a quick dance at the fact that none of these soormas have said anything in support of the poor girls thrown into jail. As a current MP, Tendulkar, and as former MPs, Lata and Amitabh should surely say something!

[akshayxyz]

Last week, quite a few people on FB and elsewhere posted "Ek tha Tiger" posts.... not surprisingly, I did not see any of them saying anything on these girls' arrest.

[Trichromatic]

IG who was conducting enquiry in this case was supposed to submit his report by wednesday evening. Any idea if that has been submitted? would that report be made public?

IG recommended action against those policemen.

[Tiger80]

Facebook comment arrests: Inquiry report indicts policemen, seeks action PTI | Nov 23, 2012, 09.46 PM ISTMUMBAI: The inquiry report on the arrest of two girls for their Facebook comments against the shutdown for Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's funeral has indicted the policemen involved in initiating action and observed that the arrests could have been avoided. The confidential report submitted to the DGP office has also recommended departmental action against the errant cops, a police official said on condition of anonymity. "The report filed by inspector general (Konkan range) Sukhvindar Singh also mentions that sections applied in the case were not justified," the official said adding the police would seek advice from the government on dropping of the charges against the girls. Meanwhile, a national news channel had showed a video clipping stating how Palghar deputy superintendent of police Ramdas Shinde tried to appease the Shiv Sena men and promised action even after the girls had apologized for their facebook comments, though his face was not clearly seen. "We are registering a case under section 295 A of the IPC and Section 66A of the IT Act. Their family members are here and they are ready to give a written apology. But that doesn't mean we will not register a case. I will also give you a copy of the apology in 15-20 minutes," Shinde was seen saying in the video. "Be rest assured that action will be taken. Please remain calm. An unfortunate incident has taken place. Please don't give in to incitement. I am with you in your sentiments. Please understand me," the video showed Shinde as saying. Shaheen Dadha and Renu Srinivasan, both aged 21, from Palghar were arrested on Monday after Dadha posted a Facebook status protesting the Mumbai shutdown after Thackeray's death and Renu 'liked' it. The girls were later released on bail. They were arrested under IPC's sections 295 (A) (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 505(2) IPC (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes) and the IT ACT. A clinic owned by Shaheen's uncle was also ransacked, allegedly by a group of Shiv Sena workers. Ten people were arrested for the attack but were soon released on a bail of Rs 7,500 each as surety. Following an outrage over the girls' arrest, the state government instituted an enquiry headed by inspector general (Konkan range) Sukhvindar Singh, who submitted the report.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Facebook-comment-arrests-Inquiry-report-indicts-policemen-seeks-action/articleshow/17340414.cms

[Alchemist]

Two more people arrested for making comments against politicians and MMS http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/two-air-india-employees-arrested-for-facebook-posts-spend-12-days-in-custody-297118?pfrom=home-otherstories

[Raghav_12]

Two more people arrested for making comments against politicians and MMS http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/two-air-india-employees-arrested-for-facebook-posts-spend-12-days-in-custody-297118?pfrom=home-otherstories

66 A should be abolished at earliest. There could be few more cases which did not come to light earlier.

[someone]

I think the real issue is about consistency. It's might be all right to arrest people who criticize key people in India. But we need to make sure it's for all people and no double standards. It does not make sense when it's only true for certain elements. If we had a consistent law, Half of the congress party would already have been arrested.

[CG]

I think the real issue is about consistency. It's might be all right to arrest people who criticize key people in India. But we need to make sure it's for all people and no double standards. It does not make sense when it's only true for certain elements. If we had a consistent law' date=' Half of the congress party would already have been arrested.[/quote'] In india that can never be achieved so its better to amend the draconian law.

[Crookbond]

Now Sena wants to attack Wardha man over Facebook post http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/now-sena-wants-to-attack-wardha-man-over-facebook-post-296307

Mumbai: The brouhaha over the arrest of two girls in Palghar and the ravaging of a hospital after a Facebook post disparaging the shutdown in the city following Bal Thackeray's death, is yet to subside. But turning a deaf ear to all the criticism, Shiv Sena continues to toe the 'my way or the highway' line. This is borne out by the fact that on Wednesday Shiv Sainiks lodged a complaint against another Facebook user for an anti-Bal Thackeray remark, warning cops that if the case weren't resolved within eight days, the party would take matters into its own hands. The Panvel (rural) police station has forwarded the matter to senior officials in the cyber crime department and sources say suitable steps would be taken only after a thorough inquiry. According to the accusers - Bhargav Samant, who is Raigad district president of Yuva Sena, and Sena activist Yogesh Indulkar - they were informed by a friend about the Facebook page of a person named Abhay Haridas Kamble, who had posted an 'offensive' comment against Bal Thackeray. "This man was congratulating everyone on the death of our leader. He even used words that I am ashamed of repeating. Our first thought was to find this person on our own and teach him a lesson. However, our senior leaders told us to register a police complaint. So, while handing over the letter to the police we mentioned that they should take action against this man within eight days. If they fail to do that, we shouldn't be blamed for whatever happens next, when we deal with him in our style," said Indulkar. Samant and Indulkar submitted the complaint letter at Panvel (rural) police station on Wednesday. The police confirmed having received the complaint and said they have initiated an investigation. Inspector Krishna Kokane said, "We did get the complaint and dispatched it to our cyber crime officials. We don't want to do anything in haste and are probing the matter at the moment. We need to locate the PC or laptop from which the message was posted. We also need to ascertain that this person's ID and password were not used by someone else to post the remarks. Only after everything is substantiated and we have the necessary proper proof, action will be initiated." Shiv Sena spokesperson Rahul Narvekar claimed that his party men are incensed with such messages being put on social networking sites, but they are trying their best to deal with such issues the legal way. "This is a clear case of defamation and we are asking the police to take action. We have faith in the law, but if cops don't crack the case soon Sainiks are sufficiently capable of handling such matters," said Narvekar. Root of controversy The status message was posted on Saturday at 5.15 pm, an hour after Thackeray was declared dead. Kamble has more than 1,800 friends on the social networking site, hails from Wardha, and this particular post had 44 likes, 11 shares and more than 250 comments till last evening.

Questions to Shiv Sainiks Q1 - Do you try to help the poor farmers in Vidharbha region of Maharashtra through legal channels? They are Marathi Manoos as well - what do you do? Q2 - If the legal way fails, do you take matters in your own hands and deal it in "your style". If so, what is "your style"?

[Nova]

Questions to Shiv Sainiks Q1 - Do you try to help the poor farmers in Vidharbha region of Maharashtra through legal channels? They are Marathi Manoos as well - what do you do?

We don't do anything through legal channels.

Q2 - If the legal way fails, do you take matters in your own hands and deal it in "your style". If so, what is "your style"?

Yes we take matters in our hands. Our style is if you don't listen to what we want, we get shyt done through force.

[Crookbond]

Why is it then that your "force" has not helped any of your Marathi Manoos in Vidharbha? The region is dying since the last 15 years. :nervous:

[Nova]

Why is it then that your "force" has not helped any of your Marathi Manoos in Vidharbha? The region is dying since the last 15 years. :nervous:

Go ask Congress. It's all congress' fault. They are sucking the blood of the poor farmers. Unfortunately, we can't use force against the ruling govt. Instead, we call for "bandhs" and ask the farmers to participate in the protests. Then our leaders make big speeches and ask the farmers to not vote for congress. It works and we remain in the limelight from time to time. :king:

[Tiger80]

We don't do anything through legal channels. Yes we take matters in our hands. Our style is if you don't listen to what we want, we get shyt done through force.

:hysterical: