New Delhi, Jan 2: Complaints about hundreds of Muslim women listed for “auction” on a dodgy app with photographs sourced without permission have triggered a major controversy for the second time in less than a year.
The police in Delhi said they were investigating a case filed by journalist Ismat Ara while Priyanka Chaturvedi, an MP from Maharashtra’s ruling Shiv Sena, said a probe had also been launched in Mumbai.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>The matter has been taken cognizance of. Concerned officials have been directed to take appropriate action.</p>— #DelhiPolice (@DelhiPolice) <a href=”https://twitter.com/DelhiPolice/status/1477204642568171522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Have spoken to <a href=”https://twitter.com/CPMumbaiPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@CPMumbaiPolice</a> and DCP Crime Rashmi Karandikar ji. They will investigate this. Have also spoken to <a href=”https://twitter.com/DGPMaharashtra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@DGPMaharashtra</a> for intervention. Hoping those behind such misogynistic and sexist sites are apprehended. <a href=”https://t.co/Ofo1l9dgIl”>https://t.co/Ofo1l9dgIl</a></p>— Priyanka Chaturvedi?? (@priyankac19) <a href=”https://twitter.com/priyankac19/status/1477233494849769472?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>I have repeatedly asked Hon. IT Minister <a href=”https://twitter.com/AshwiniVaishnaw?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@AshwiniVaishnaw</a> ji to take stern action against such rampant misogyny and communal targeting of women through <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/sullideals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#sullideals</a> like platforms. A shame that it continues to be ignored. <a href=”https://t.co/Q3JLxZpNeC”>https://t.co/Q3JLxZpNeC</a></p>— Priyanka Chaturvedi?? (@priyankac19) <a href=”https://twitter.com/priyankac19/status/1477190564202225670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
The Mumbai cyber police have begun an investigation into the objectionable content on the app ‘Bulli Bai’, an official told. The app appeared to be a clone of Sulli Deals which triggered a row last year by offering users a “Sulli” – a derogatory term used by right-wing social media trolls for Muslim women – calling them “deals of the day”.
While there was no real sale involved, the purpose of the app was to degrade, humiliate and harass, some of its targets said.
“The app ‘Bulli Bai’ works just the same way as ‘Sulli Deals’ did. Once you open it, you randomly find a Muslim woman’s face being displayed as Bulli Bai,” a social media user said.
Muslim women with a strong presence on Twitter have been singled out and their photos were listed on the platform once again.
The abuse drew strong condemnation on Twitter.
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>It is very sad that as a Muslim woman you have to start your new year with this sense of fear & disgust. Of course it goes without saying that I am not the only one being targeted in this new version of <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/sullideals?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#sullideals</a>. Screenshot sent by a friend this morning. <br><br>Happy new year. <a href=”https://t.co/pHuzuRrNXR”>pic.twitter.com/pHuzuRrNXR</a></p>— Ismat Ara (@IsmatAraa) <a href=”https://twitter.com/IsmatAraa/status/1477183342822887424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>January 1, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src=”https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js” charset=”utf-8″></script>
Bulli Bai App: The goal is to degrade, humiliate and harass, some of its targets said. (Representational)
The police in Delhi said they were investigating a case filed by journalist Ismat Ara while Priyanka Chaturvedi, an MP from Maharashtra’s ruling Shiv Sena, said a probe had also been launched in Mumbai.
“The app ‘Bulli Bai’ works just the same way as ‘Sulli Deals’ did. Once you open it, you randomly find a Muslim woman’s face being displayed as Bulli Bai,” a social media user said.
Muslim women with a strong presence on Twitter have been singled out and their photos were listed on the platform once again.
The abuse drew strong condemnation on Twitter.
The app appeared to have been taken down after being posted on the Microsoft-owned software sharing platform GitHub which allows anyone to upload an in-development app.
Removing the Sulli Bai app after complaints last time, GitHub had said, “We suspended user accounts following the investigation of reports of such activity, all of which violate our policies.”
