TNI Bureau: A Facebook comment on Bal Thackeray’s demise and shutdown in Mumbai on his funeral day, has landed two young girls in deep trouble. One was arrested for posting the comment, while the other one was held for liking it. They were later released.
The 21-year-old girl, identified as Shaheen posted a status update, “People like Thackeray are born and die daily and one should not observe a bandh for that”. Her friend, Renu had liked that comment.
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Although Shaheen later withdrew her comment and apologised it, a group of Shiv Sainiks ransacked her uncle’s orthopaedic clinic at Palghar. She and her friend were arrested under Section 295 (a) of the IPC (for hurting religious sentiments) and Section 64 (a) of the Information Technology Act, 2000. They were later released on bail of Rs 15,000 each.
Meanwhile, Press Council of India (PCI) Chairperson Markendey Katju has sought action against the policemen, who over-reacted and arrested the girls. He urged Maharashtra CM Prithviraj Chavan to look into the matter on a priority.