Right-wing influencers threaten protestors with rape on social media
Several girls report receiving calls from right-wing influencers questioning their participation in protests.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, alleged that the filing of FIRs against student protesters and the shutting down of their social media accounts is orchestrated by Modi and Shah.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi stated, "PM Modi and Amit Shah - you cannot silence Gen Z by threatening them. First, you broke their bones. Now you are filing FIRs and shutting down their social media accounts. You are India's past. Be careful about how you treat India's future."
According to a report by The Hindu, despite the Centre's assurance to withdraw cases against protesters, Delhi Police continued to summon students for questioning until Thursday afternoon. Citing Rishabh Ranjan, a member of the Congress legal aid cell, the newspaper reported,
About 300 calls were received on the helpline initiated by the party. Of these, around 50 calls were from girls who alleged receiving rape and death threats for participating in the protest.
The report states that several students from Haryana were taken to the Parliament Street Police Station for questioning without prior notice. It is alleged that police action continued in some cases even after the Supreme Court ordered on July 28 that no harsh action be taken against student protesters without a criminal record.
Rishabh Ranjan told The Hindu,
"Several girls are receiving calls from right-wing influencers asking why they participated in the protest. Their names are on a list being circulated by these handles. They are being harassed and threatened. There is clear evidence of this online. The government needs to take serious action in this matter."
A case has been registered against a 25-year-old student named Ruchika Singh for comments made against PM Modi during the protest. A 'zero FIR' was filed against her for her remarks made on July 23. The complainant alleges that Singh's statements hurt the dignity of the Prime Minister's office and posed a threat of unrest and disruption of law and order. Based on the complaint, the Expressway Police Station in Noida registered a zero FIR under sections 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 353(1) (statements conducive to public mischief), and 356(1) (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge also accused the Narendra Modi government of reneging on its promise that no action would be taken against students after the protest ended.
In a post on X, Kharge said,
"Ten days ago, your government suppressed the youth with batons and pellet guns. Now that the students have withdrawn their protest, you are filing FIRs against them and detaining them out of vengeance."
Kharge alleged,
"The youth withdrew their protest on the condition that no action would be taken against them, and now your governments have reneged on their word. People associated with the BJP and RSS and influencers are blocking the social media accounts of the youth and harassing girls online, issuing rape threats."
Publishing or sharing girls' personal information online without consent is often done with the intent to harass, intimidate, or abuse the individual. Targeting Shah, Kharge further stated,
"The arrogance is such that Home Minister Amit Shah has not even stepped into the Parliament building for fear of being held accountable. If there is any shame left, demand Amit Shah's resignation."
These comments from Congress leaders came a day after Prime Minister Modi stated that comprehensive reforms in the education system have become necessary to tackle the problem of paper leaks and emphasised that there will be "no leniency" towards those playing with students' futures. Shortly after a bill was passed by Parliament to amend the anti-paper leak law, the Prime Minister, in a video message released on Instagram late in the evening, said that paper leaks in various examinations have become a major challenge not only for students but also for the Centre and several states. "The Centre and many states have been facing the problem of paper leaks for many years. This problem has posed a threat to the future of children appearing in various examinations. Therefore, it has become necessary to make major changes in the education system to tackle this problem," the Prime Minister said.