Condemning the “Islamophobic harassment” of Indian Muslim women through Bulli Bai’s webpage, the Association of Women in Criminal Law released a statement of solidarity with Muslim women who have been targeted by these apps. The statement expresses its solidarity with Indian Muslim women whose photographs and information have been shared without their knowledge or consent on Bulli Bai and unconditionally condemns this attempt to “sexualise, dehumanize and harass Muslim women”. It is said:
“This is a targeted and misogynistic hate campaign directed against Muslim women punishable under Indian criminal law. The terms ‘Sulli’ and ‘Bulli’ are derogatory slurs used to insult and disrespect specifically Muslim women and constitute hate speech. The Internet is also a gross violation of their constitutional right to dignity, privacy and bodily autonomy”
The statement notes that in a similar case of “Sulli Deals”, no action was taken against the perpetrators despite two FIRs being registered by the police in Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi. “Not a single arrest has yet been made in connection with Sulli Deals and this has encouraged the defendants to act with impunity,” he added. notes the press release.
In this regard, WCLA makes certain requirements in its statement –
- Swift action against creators of Sulli Deas and Bulli Bai by police in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
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GitHub is directing resources immediately to ensure that anyone who has made a copy, or “fork”, of the code on their own GitHub account and/or has liked/featured the Sulli Deals and/or Bulli Bai repositories has not other projects that include similar hate speech, misogyny, violence or other objectionable content.
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GitHub is immediately directing more resources towards the specific analysis of all upcoming GitHub web pages for Islamophobic and misogynistic content, and specifically similar “auctions” of Indian Muslim women, to ensure that these web pages are removed promptly in the future and that their creators do not enjoy impunity. GitHub.
- GitHub cooperates with Indian law enforcement agencies and shares all available information about the creators of “Sulli Deals” and “Bulli Bai” web pages.
- Prosecution of the defendants under the relevant sections of Sections S.153A, 153B, 354A and 509 of the Indian Penal Code as well as Sections 66 and 67 of the Computers Act.
On Monday, Mumbai police arrested a 21-year-old engineering student in connection with the Bulli Bai App case and took him into custody until January 10. Reports surfaced of two more arrests in the Bulli Bai app. Case.
Read/Download the solidarity statement here
