A simple Facebook status caused 21-year-old college student Shaheen Dhada to be arrested. The status criticized the Shiv Sena political party and its late elderly founder and patriarch, Bal Thackeray.
The party has been accused numerous times of anti-Muslim violence in India. Anti-Muslim statements were made by Thackeray on more than one occasion.
Shiv Sena pushed for a 'bandh' or general strike in the city of Mumbai to mourn the death of Thackeray which lead to the controversial Facebook post.
The Facebook post read:
“Respect is earned, not given and definitely not forced. Today Mumbai shuts down due to fear and not due to respect. People like Thackeray are born and die daily, and one should not observe a 'bandh' for that."
Dhada was not the only person detained for her Facebook status. Her friend Renu Srinivasan liked the status and was arrested for “creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes” according to section 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code.
Both girls were sentenced to a 14-day bid but were released shortly after posting bail.
Who would think a simple, non-violent Facebook post and 'Like' could cause so much controversy?
[via Daily Mail]
