Guwahati: The global media safety and rights body Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) demands proper actions against the individuals behind the ‘Bulli Bai’ online application through which is targeting women including many Indian scribes in social media.
On the first week of January 2022, over a hundred women, mostly Muslim personalities, were posted in the app with morphed images as ready for online auction (to sell as maids). Those on the list work in a variety of fields, including journalism. The app has recently been deactivated.
This isn’t the first time a group of ladies has been auctioned off in public. In July 2021, a similar app called ‘Sulli Deals’ was released, which targeted nearly 80 women from ethnic communities. Despite the fact that there was no actual auction, the idea was enough to humiliate the women, who had previously spoken out against other injustices.
Meanwhile, after a number of women activists expressed their displeasure with the app, a police complaint was filed in India’s capital city. Following New Delhi, identical complaints were filed in Mumbai under numerous Indian statutes dealing with gender bias, sexual harassment, religious hostility, and other issues.
“We call on the Indian federal government in New Delhi to take the appropriate action against the criminals.” “Virtual attacks against journalists appear to be aimed at discouraging them from fulfilling their duties, which must be tolerated,” stated PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen.
It may be mentioned that PEC’s India representative Nava Thakuria stated that three students including a young lady have been detained in the case. The young girl is suspected to be the prime accused in the case.
Further investigation is underway.