Sabka saath, sabka vikas. This jumla is the slogan of our ruling party to drive home its noble intention of working together for the progress of all. But whatever happened to the Government’s intent when a section of its population especially the women folk of a particular community were targeted in a rather immodest manner recently?
Couple of months ago, in July 2021, an app called ‘sulli deals’ came up on the social media, (sulli is a derogatory slang term used for Muslim women) which put Muslim ladies on auction with lewd language as its caption and accompanied with unflattering morphed pictures. More appalling were the comments, cheers and jeers of many sick minded people.
When brought to the notice of the concerned authorities, a mere FIR was lodged and the matter was forgotten.
After a gap of 6 months, the app is back with another version, “Bulli deals”. This time, there are more than 100 photographs of prominent Muslim women again put on auction. These women achievers include entrepreneurs, socialists, politicians and people who have made their country proud. The list includes the picture of Najeeb’s mother, who lost her son (he was harassed by goons) in a Delhi college some years ago and to date the police have not been able to trace his whereabouts.
While the pictures may have been uploaded by ‘some’ miscreants, what is more worrying is the ‘many’ people who have liked and commented on it.
Honorable IT minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw has issued instructions for blocking the app and also assured stern action against the culprits. However, blocking an app cannot be a solution, as it can reappear with another name.
Is it not a surprise that our cyber crime department which shows so much of enthusiasm in catching the culprit who abused Cricketer Virat Kohli’s daughter in cyber space has suddenly become lackadaisical in tracking down the miscreants of this app?
Also, the silence of the people in power as well as the majority community is sending wrong signals to the perpetrators of this shameful act.
While the app has targeted a community, I sincerely feel that this should not be treated as a communal issue as it is the handiwork of some mentally sick individuals who believe in instigation by beating under the belt. Rather, stern action should be taken against the guilty for spreading hate by taking the support of vulgar fabrications which is a wrong precedent for other crimes.
Though there have been some arrests what about those people who instigated these youngsters, what about those people who liked and bid for these women, what about those in administration who did not take the initial July complaint seriously and lastly the government, who is ever silent whenever atrocities committed on a particular community.
Yes, this issue would not have grown to such a gargantuan level had the Government taken timely and appropriate action. However, better late than never. The Government needs to bring to justice those who spread hate and create a toxic environment for people especially our women folk who are given a stature of love and immense respect in our country.
Until then, the sabka saath, sabka vikaas slogan does not hold true for our women.
