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Why don't we stop describing the violent arrest of #MunawarFaruqui as a case of free speech vs religious sentiments. That's already false.
It's a case-study of the new political entrepreneurship: find ways to criminalise Muslims... advance in The Party. Zero sentiments involved.
It's a case-study of the new political entrepreneurship: find ways to criminalise Muslims... advance in The Party. Zero sentiments involved.
(2) Just consider the bare facts: After he's beaten, arrested and denied bail, police say there is "no evidence against him".
But the vigilante who went for him, the son of an MLA (classic), is being paraded on @zeenews shows tagged "हिंदू का अपमान सबसे आसान
#HindusForGranted"
But the vigilante who went for him, the son of an MLA (classic), is being paraded on @zeenews shows tagged "हिंदू का अपमान सबसे आसान
#HindusForGranted"
(3) And even been graciously, patiently interviewed by @BDUTT on @themojostory and given space to flaunt his wounded 'religious sentiments'. Recognition and a platform from a central figure of the liberal press.
That interview is now his pinned tweet, of course.
That interview is now his pinned tweet, of course.
(4) I was about to use the word #vigilantism in this thread, but even that compounds the error. This is not about cultural or religious policing. It's about *inventing cultural crimes* by Muslim Indians in order to raise a public spectacle of punishing them.
(5) This strategy requires two levels of support:
- Police who will reverse the positions of victim & perpetrator, and file a case against whoever was assaulted and terrorised.
- Media figures who may express criticism of the event, but will still platform the known perpetrator.
- Police who will reverse the positions of victim & perpetrator, and file a case against whoever was assaulted and terrorised.
- Media figures who may express criticism of the event, but will still platform the known perpetrator.
(6) Think about it. With what other category of crime, when a person is terrorised and assaulted – all on camera – do media figures interview the attacker? To hear his views and motives, and thank him repeatedly for 'joining our show'?
(7) Its not complicated. When an attention-hungry political brat assaults and "catches" a comedian with a *target-community* name, it's the assailant who is the criminal.
From there, ethical and professional steps for journalists are clear.
From there, ethical and professional steps for journalists are clear.
(8) It's 2021. In many states, it is open season on Muslim Indians. Manufactured cultural crimes are the currency of the political Establishment. Most media will enable it because that's the job. For actual journalists, there's no excuse.
(9/9) Another classic case-study, which happened to backfire: https://mobile.twitter.com/rkarnad/status/1033626744908144640
