The power of online petitioning has borne out again and again. Two years ago, the Indian government was prompted to regulate sale of acid in the country after one such petition by acid attack survivors collected the support of over 25,000 people within a week. Over some years, online petitioning, or “clicktivism” as it sometimes called, has become a significant tool in the hands of people to bring attention to issues.

But along with this activism has arrived whimsies. On Change.org, a platform that invites anyone to start a campaign and muster signatures, has some petitions that reflect this frivolousness. They range from demanding a concert of an American rock band in India to beef on a fast-food chain’s menu.

Here are a few such petitions that have sprung up on the website:

Against Shiv’s death coinciding with Anandi’s pregnancy in Balika Vadhu
Petition launch: January 2015
Signatures so far: 715

The popular TV show Balika Vadhu, ostensibly centred on the issue of child marriage, has been playing on the channel Colors since 2008, but its popularity has not waned greatly even after 1,800 episodes. Such is the fans’ obsession with one of the characters, Shiv (played by actor Siddharth Shukla), that some attributed a dip in the show’s ratings last May to his absence from it for three weeks.


Recently, as news spread that the character of Shiv is about to end, some fans started an online petition requesting the show’s makers against killing him. The petition argues that “without Shiv, Anandi [his wife] is incomplete” and has gathered over 700 signatures in a fortnight.

For a Linkin Park concert in India
Petition launch: December 2011
Signatures so far:  9,015

American rock band Linkin Park, already popular in India for its headbanging music, has gained a greater following because of the cartoon television series Dragon Ball Z, which often features its songs. An Indian fansite, with presence on Facebook and Twitter, has been working industriously to get Linkin Park here.

Since 2011, this group has been running an online petition asking the band to consider India for a tour, given that “we’ve had multiple shows by Iron Maiden, and performances by renowned artists like Lamb of God, Megadeth, Metallica, Bryan Adams, among others”. The petition has gathered over 9,000 signatures.

For the ‘real’ beef burgers by Burger King
Petition launch: October 2014
Signatures so far: 844

While entering the Indian market last year, Burger King announced that its signature Whopper burgers will not feature beef like in other parts of the world. This has not gone down well with some “beef burger enthusiasts” in the country. In an online petition, they have termed the change “unacceptable” and demanded the introduction of beef hoppers and steakhouse burgers.

For prohibiting Sunny Leone’s entry into the country
Petition launch year: March 2014
Signatures so far: 104

Indians love their internet pornography, according to the website Pornhub, and Sunny Leone the most. Adult entertainment star Leone burst upon the Indian entertainment scene with an appearance on the reality television show Bigg Boss and since then has gone on to act in six films. During this time, apart from gaining many new admirers, she has also acquired some critics.

An online petition to the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment asks for a law that “prohibits porn stars from becoming public figures” and asks for a ban on Leone’s entry into the country. Perhaps in a reflection of Leone’s popularity, the petition has received just a little more than 100 signatures.

For Android 4.4 (Kitkat) update on Sony Xperia L
Petition launch: April 2014
Signatures so far: 7,020

This is a testimony to the smartphone revolution in India. An online petition by an anonymous user wants the latest Android operating system 4.4 on Sony Xperia L phones, claiming that the 4.3 version they currently run on is “outdated”. The petition has received over 7,000 signatures.