Milind joins Sibal to critisise misuse of law by Mumbai cops

Urges Maharashtra government to take corrective action

GN Bureau | November 20, 2012



The arrest of two girls in Mumbai over their post on the social media site Facebook has attracted criticism from all corners. After telecom minister Kapil Sibal, minister of state for communications and information technology Milind Deora has condemned the conduct of Mumbai police.

Speaking to the news television channel, Times Now, Deora said that it is not a question whether the section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2008, should be amended. Rather, it is about police taking action in haste.

On Sunday, Mumbai resident Shaheen Dhada, 21, had posted a message on her Facebook page saying, "Mumbai shuts down due to fear and not due to respect", referring to Mumbai bandh in the wake of demise of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray. The comment was liked by her friend Renu Shrinivas, 20.
The cops arrested the two after a few Shiv Sainiks lodged a first information report, charging them under 295 (A) section of the Indian Penal Code – promoting enmity between classes – and section 66 A of the IT Act. Later, police withdrew section 295 (A), and charged them with section 505 (2) of the IPC, statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes.    

Meanwhile, Mumbai police has arrested nine Shiv Sainiks who allegedly vandalised clinic of Abdul Dhada, uncle of Shaheen. The police said it was also inquiring whether the content posted on social media site amounted to an offence and whether the arrest was appropriate.

Dhada wrote in her post: "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 [shutdown] for that."

Actor-turned-social activist Nafisa Ali and Arvind Kejriwal have also critisised the police for misusing the IPC and the IT Act.
 

 

Comments

 

Other News

Gandhian movement after Gandhi failed: Ram Guha

The Gandhian movement in India, after Gandhi’s death, failed, says Ramachandra Guha, and blames Vinoba Bhave for it. But the movement found new, fertile grounds around the world and succeeded in bringing about a change in South Africa, the US and elsewhere. It is high time it returned home. Of cour

When religion, politics and Bollywood come together

Tavleen Singh, noted journalist and political commentator, has turned to fiction, with her debut novel ‘The Actor’ (HaperCollins India). Set in the near future, it has a superstar, Amit Singh, turning to politics, when the political landscape is dominated by prime minister Guru Gaynendraj

Cabinet approves setting up of Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority

The union cabinet, chaired by prime minister Narendra Modi, on Tuesday approved the setting up of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), called Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA), to strengthen research, planning, appraisal, monitoring and impact assessment within the broad domains of Transp

Why foundational literacy and numeracy is key to school education

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) are often described as the building blocks of education. Yet, their significance goes well beyond a child’s ability to read a sentence, write a response or solve a basic mathematical problem. These foundational skills shape how children understand the world,

When police data becomes the algorithm

For decades, policing has followed a familiar sequence: a crime occurs, the police respond, an investigation produces records and those records become part of the institutional memory of the criminal justice system. Artificial intelligence is beginning to alter that sequence. Instead of merely recording

Before India voted, the framers worried about the referee

“We are making a Constitution forever and not only for today.” Shibban Lal Saksena said this in the Constituent Assembly on June 15, 1949. He was warning that a ruling party might one day choose a loyalist to run India’s elections. Seventy-seven years later, the Supreme Court is wrestli

Upcoming Conferences



-->

Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter