Women's organisations seek action in Bulli Bai case

By: WE Staff | Tuesday, 4 January 2022

Some women's organisations have written to President Ram Nath Kovind, citing the horrifying Bulli Bai app issue and requesting his action to ensure severe punishment for public instigation to sexual abuse of Muslim women.

“We, members of various women’s organisations, appeal to you as the highest constitutional authority to use all means at your disposal to intervene and ensure that those responsible for this vile and criminal behavior are punished with the severity that they deserve,” it is stated in the memorandum.

All India Democratic Women's Association's Mariam Dhawale, National Federation of Indian Women's Annie Raja, All India Progressive Women's Association's Kavita Krishnan, Pragatisheel Mahila Sangathan's Poonam Kaushik, and All India Mahila Sanstritik Sangathan's Chhabi Mohanty have all signed the statement.

They point out that, for the second time in less than a year, the most heinous exhibition of unabashed misogyny was witnessed. “In July, 2021, an app called ‘Sulli Deals’ was shared on social media which purported to ‘auction’ prominent Muslim women, journalists, writers, activists etc. This was done to humiliate and terrorise courageous Muslim women who were writing and protesting against injustice and corruption,” it is stated. “At that time, FIRs against those responsible were filed in UP and Delhi but no action was taken,” they point.

According to Naqvi, a "conspiracy" against India's composite culture will fail: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the Union Minister for Minority Affairs, has warned that any "plot" against the country's composite culture by those using cyber crime to sow discord will fail. He also claimed that the government has taken action in the case of the Bulli Bai app.

The 'Bulli Bai' controversy arosed on January 1 after some women on social media, particularly from the Muslim community, claimed that their doctored images were being sold online on the Github hosting platform.

The app featured doctored images of Muslim women together with the insulting caption "Sulli deal of the day." It should be mentioned that the term 'Sulli' is a derogatory term for women. The app's authors would use photographs stolen illegally from the women's social media accounts to persuade people to participate in the "auction."