TW: rape and violence
This week, India was rocked by two high profile rape cases in Unnao and Kathua. Both cases involved government officials in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. In the Kathua case a group of men allegedly kidnapped, raped and murdered an 8 year old Muslim girl inside a temple. The accused were arrested and charged, but BJP party members and an affiliated lawyers’ union staged protests in favor of the accused. The Twitter discourse was supportive of both victims but the Kathua case particularly horrified people. Users tweeted using #JusticeForAshifa and #kathua.
It becomes harder by the day to claim my unfortunate motherland is a civilized nation. Rarely can one find barbarity of such scale that an eight year old is brutally raped, tortured, and murdered. So let us stare barbarity in the face and talk about it. (1/n)#JusticeForAshifa
— Anupam Guha (@Anupam_Guha) April 10, 2018
As both cases involved members from the ruling BJP party, the conversation took a political tone. Many people questioned why Prime Minister Modi did not do more to hold his party members accountable.
A Pakistan court sentenced 9-year old Zainab’s rapist & murderer to death.
In India, BJP ministers and lawyers are defending a rapist & murderer of 8-year old Ashifa.
Enough of Modi's empty promises of "बेटी बचाओ, बेटी पढाओ"
India, do not rest until we get #JusticeForAshifa pic.twitter.com/V1wyyy0j4F
— Rofl Republic (@i_theindian) April 10, 2018
Dear govt,plz change #BetiBachao to #BetiHumHiSeBachao.Your MLAs are making a mockery of your slogan.A victims father is killed in jail?Don’t claim to be #Hindu.You don’t view women as Goddess forms,so end this hypocrisy NOW! #JusticeForAshifa #VarnikaKundu pic.twitter.com/rpA2dPH5eP
— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) April 10, 2018
Some drew attention to the communal element of the incidents.
Kathua 'lawyers' raised 'Jai Shree Ram' slogans while preventing Crime Branch from filing chargesheet in #Asifa rape case, Rama must be happy to see this? Nobody has brought damage to Hinduism than these Hindutva hoodlums. Disgusting. #JusticeForAshifa pic.twitter.com/lllKSP6QMO
— Irony Of India (@IronyOfIndia_) April 10, 2018
Yet others felt that bringing the religion into the case was causing additional animosity.
This is not about Hinduism! It is neither about Islam! This is not about Muslims , neither it is about Hindus. This is about rape and brutal murder of a eight year old minor girl! This is about justice! Shameful about the way it is being blocked by lawyers! #JusticeforAsifa
— Ashima Kaul (@Yakjite) April 9, 2018
Finally, people used the hashtag to organize protests against government inaction and get justice for the family.
Please join a sit-in at Pratap Park, Srinagar tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2 pm seeking #JusticeForAshifa pic.twitter.com/yGSjzn2axc
— Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) April 10, 2018
I had not seen this coverage on Twitter and appreciate you educating us on this devastating story. To see the politics involved and how there are individuals who are not seeking justice for these men, is so confusing and is hard to stomach. Ashifa was an innocent, joyful girl who lost her life in such a barbaric act.
I will continue following this and #JusticeForAshifa on Twitter to make sure I am aware of all that is happening. I may ask you more about Kathua and the BJP. I need to become more educated and aware. Thank you…