Arrested for Facebook in India

Nov 20

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Arrested for Facebook in India

Two detained over comments made after prominent Hindu nationalist leader's death.

Hundreds of thousands of mourners attended the state funeral of Hindu right-wing politician Bal Thackeray in Mumbai on November 18, 2012. EPA/DIVYAKANT SOLANKI

The death of Hindu nationalist politician Bal Thackeray on Saturday drew crowds of mourners in India. As the leader of right-wing Hindu party Shiv Sena, Thackeray was among the country's most divisive public figures.

That divide was reflected online, after two young women were arrested for a comment on Facebook about the public reaction to Thackeray's death. Shaheen Dhanda wrote that the near-total shutdown of Mumbai, India's most populous city and a stronghold for Shiv Sena supporters, was "due to fear, not due to respect".

View the story "Arrested for Facebook in India" on StorifyArrested for Facebook in IndiaTwo detained over comments made after prominent Hindu nationalist leader's death. Storified by The Stream · Tue, Nov 20 2012 12:51:07After Thackeray's death, Twitter mentions of his name spiked to tens of thousands.
There are several iconic pics of #Balasaheb 's last journey. For me, it is this one :amishra7721-year-old Dhanda questioned the scale of the public reaction to Thackeray's death on her personal Facebook page. This text has been reported in the media as a quote of the post, as the original was apparently deleted. Full text of Facebook status update that Shaheen Dhada was arrested for http://twitpic.com/benxvu via @annkur #Mumbai #ShivSena #FoEShivam VijDhanda's comment stood in contrast to the outpouring of support for Thackeray from his supporters and even Bollywood stars. Just woke up in NY to d sad news about BalaSaheb. He'll always remain larger than life. He was helpful, Courageous & a true Nationalist. RIPAnupam KherT 935 - I sat by his bedside for hours these past few days, a prayer in my heart, watching him struggling to breathe, but fighting ...Amitabh BachchanOthers who disagreed with his nationalist positions, including prominent journalists, steered clear of criticising the politician. Balasaheb Keshav Thackeray 1926--2012. A cult figure, someone who transformed Maharashtra politics. #RIP BalasahebSagarika GhoseThat I disagreed with #Balasaheb ideas does not mean that I cannot accept that he was a leader loved by millionsShekhar KapurGave me an interview in 1988 as a cub reporter. Was generous with his time and thoughts. Offered me beer too! RIP #BalasahebRajdeep SardesaiReluctance to criticise Thackeray was what Bhanda was questioning. The day after Thackeray's death, Bhanda was detained, along with a friend who had liked the status.The reaction on social media was immediate. Many felt the arrest of two young women for a Facebook post was absurd, while others said the arrest was a clear case of censorship. People discussed the arrests using #Palghar, the town near Mumbai where the girls are from. I don't agree with what Shaheen Dhada posted on FB; but certainly she is being traumatized beyond proportion!! http://bit.ly/10mNutIShiva VenkatEither you're a democratic country or you arrest two girls for a harmless FB status update. Need to choose. #India http://m.firstpost.com/india/girls-arrested-for-facebook-post-on-thackeray-get-bail-528178.htmlSadanand DhumeSo Bal Thackeray and the Shiv Sena are above criticism? #palgharRuben MascarenhasI don't think even in countries under dictatorship, a person will be arrested for "liking a facebook status" #PalgharKrupakar Manukonda3/3 In sheer disgust that Mumbai's most divisive man was respected with tricolour while harmless girls suffer arrests#freethegirls #PalgharsmrutiThe Stream spoke to Pranesh Prakash (@pranesh_prakash), policy director at the Centre for Internet and Society, about the arrests. Pranesh Prakash on The StreamajstreamOthers online referred to India's controversial plan to censor some web content.All those demanding 'regulation' of social media, I hope they are happy now that people are getting arrested routinely for tweeting and FB?Shivam VijHatred of minorities, liberals is an epidemic on Twitter. Law shd be harsh on hatespeak not on democratic rights of 21 year olds!CheerioSagarika GhoseNetizens also used #ArrestIdeas to mock the detainment, listing common online behaviours as suggestions for future Facebook-related arrests.People who type 'brb' and come back 3 days later. #ArrestIdeasGabbar singhRelatives who constantly pester about getting married. #ArrestIdeasSaheli“Like us on Facebook” is an “incitement to crime” #arrestideasFaking NewsHey, I just met you and this is crazy. But like my status, get arrested maybe?! #arrestideasJagadish ChinnahalliOthers used the hashtag to list problems in India they felt were more pressing than social media. Arrest all those polticians who sleep in the parliament and who's attendance is below 90% :-P #ArrestIdeasAnuj Khurana Police atrocity, an increasing trend across the country. Their confidence, the backing of political parties and those in power.#ArrestIdeasSrikanth ShankarBoth of the women said that they had already deactivated their Facebook accounts and that they did not think they would return to social networks. "I have already deactivated my account on Facebook and Twitter. My parents have had to face so much problems due to this incident. My father had to be at the police station till 2.30am.I will not activate my Facebook account again, says a traumatised Shaheen Dhada : India, News - India TodaySome said that they thought the outcry over the arrest was a positive sign for India. It is really quite heartening in some way to see that everyone on twitter in India is united in standing up for the two girls from Palghar.AMI'm heartened by civil society's vigorous defence of freedom of speech, be it cartoonist Trivedi or girls posting on FB. Way to go, India!Malini Parthasarathy