Clicktivists have gone into overdrive to protest the government’s ban of India’s Daughter, British filmmaker Leslee Udwin’s documentary on the 2012 Delhi gang rape. More than 50 petitions have been filed so far on the Charge.org website, with approximately 1.8 lakh signatures between them. Most of the petitions ask for either for the government to revoke its ban on the film or that action be taken against the rapist’s defence lawyers for their regressive, victim-shaming comments.
The most popular petition by legal journalist Raghul Sudheesh, which has got more than 1.3 lakh sign ups, is directed at the chairman of the Bar Council of India asking him to take action against lawyers ML Sharma and AP Singh. Whether egged on by the petition or otherwise, the BCI issued a show cause notice to the two lawyers on March 6h after finding a prima facie case of professional misconduct against them. The BCI action came quick on the heels of a Delhi Bar Council show cause notice to them for their remarks in the documentary.
“Initially the BCI was reluctant to take suo motu action and only after media pressure they considered it," Sudheesh said. "I wanted to get more people together and make sure there is pressure on them to take action.“ His main aim is not to punish the two lawyers but to make sure that BCI changes its rules to keep a check on lawyers making derogatory remarks in sensitive cases regarding crimes against women.
Moumita Pal, a 24-year-old event manager in Bengaluru, has filed a petition to Sharma himself berating and challenging him to rape and punish all the women stay out at night for work or pleasure. In her angry petition Pal says,
Sunil Gwalani of Thane's petition was aimed at the BBC and asked the channel to "stop glorifying rape". The film includes an interview with convicted rapist Mukesh Singh who has "blamed the victim" for the crime and "goes on to sermonise by talking about what good girls should do".
Wrote Gwalani,
Asked Meenakshi Bhattacharya of Banglaore,
The last time Change.org’s petitions caught the fancy of citizens online in a big way was when the government tried to amend the Right To Information Act to exclude political parties. At that time, Change.org coordinated with RTI activists to reach out to people and encourage them to file petitions. But the petitions against the India’s Daughter ban have been completely organic, said Preethi Herman, the organisation's campaign director for India.
The most popular petition by legal journalist Raghul Sudheesh, which has got more than 1.3 lakh sign ups, is directed at the chairman of the Bar Council of India asking him to take action against lawyers ML Sharma and AP Singh. Whether egged on by the petition or otherwise, the BCI issued a show cause notice to the two lawyers on March 6h after finding a prima facie case of professional misconduct against them. The BCI action came quick on the heels of a Delhi Bar Council show cause notice to them for their remarks in the documentary.
“Initially the BCI was reluctant to take suo motu action and only after media pressure they considered it," Sudheesh said. "I wanted to get more people together and make sure there is pressure on them to take action.“ His main aim is not to punish the two lawyers but to make sure that BCI changes its rules to keep a check on lawyers making derogatory remarks in sensitive cases regarding crimes against women.
Moumita Pal, a 24-year-old event manager in Bengaluru, has filed a petition to Sharma himself berating and challenging him to rape and punish all the women stay out at night for work or pleasure. In her angry petition Pal says,
“I hope you honestly believe me when I say that I am a bad girl. I live alone away from home. I wear shorts. I occasionally enjoy a sip of beer and love watching late night movies and going on long drives... Have you finalized on a punishment yet? For us, for all of us? Like you justified Jyoti’s rape?”
Sunil Gwalani of Thane's petition was aimed at the BBC and asked the channel to "stop glorifying rape". The film includes an interview with convicted rapist Mukesh Singh who has "blamed the victim" for the crime and "goes on to sermonise by talking about what good girls should do".
Wrote Gwalani,
"This simply shows that he feels no remorse for his actions and in fact is justifying whatever he did! This guy deserves the strictest punishment and has no right to be listened to."
Asked Meenakshi Bhattacharya of Banglaore,
"In a country that treats women so brutally, shames them, harms them, hurts them – why is this documentary, of one of the most brutal cases of rape and murder being banned by the Indian Government? The victim's parents came forward and gave interviews openly, shared their daughter's name, why is the government so afraid to let people see this video?"
The last time Change.org’s petitions caught the fancy of citizens online in a big way was when the government tried to amend the Right To Information Act to exclude political parties. At that time, Change.org coordinated with RTI activists to reach out to people and encourage them to file petitions. But the petitions against the India’s Daughter ban have been completely organic, said Preethi Herman, the organisation's campaign director for India.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!