MUMBAi: Shiv Sena spokesman Sanjay Raut on Tuesday justified the police action against the two girls from Palghar for their Facebook post on Bal Thackeray's funeral. "Balasaheb's death has been a shock to the entire nation. Sainiks showed tremendous restrain in controlling their emotions," Raut said
"The bandh was spontaneous and not forced by Sena. It was because of love and respect for Balasaheb. Shiv Sainiks were naturally upset at the misuse of the social media to post provocative comments," he added.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government said the report of inquiry is expected tomorrow. "The inquiry has begun and will look into whether the arrests were warranted and whether the sections applied were correct. Similarly, the probe will also investigate the incident of vandalism in the aftermath," Home Minister R R Patil said.
The government instituted an inquiry headed by the Konkan range IG into the matter yesterday and sought a report immediately.
Patil said it would be wrong on his part to comment on the police action when the inquiry was on.
The report of the IG level inquiry in the case is expected tomorrow, he said.
"Government has taken the incident very seriously," he said, adding more clarity was required in the IT Act to prevent misuse.
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan told reporters, "Let the report come, then action would be taken."
Outrage grows
The outrage over the arrest of two girls grew today with Union IT Minister Milind Deora lending weight saying there should be no "misuse" of laws and a complaint also being filed alleging human rights violations.
The police, meanwhile, arrested 10 Shiv Sainiks in connection with the attack on the clinic of the uncle of Shaheen Dada, who was arrested along with Renu on Sunday. The activists were later granted bail by a local court.
The two girls were arrested for posting comments opposing the Mumbai shutdown for the funeral of Bal Thackeray on Sunday However, they were granted bail yesterday after they furnished personal bonds.
Shaheen said she has apologised for the post. "I have apologised for the post," she said, adding that whatever happened was unfair.
Shaheen said she would never use the social media network henceforth. She had no comments to offer on whether she had done anything wrong but described Thackeray as a "great guy" whom they "truly respected".
Deora, the Minister of State for Communication and Information Technology hoped that the Maharashtra government would take remedial measures. The arrests were an "undue harassment" by law enforcement agencies, he said.
"In my opinion what they posted on Facebook does not warrant any FIR or arrest under Information Technology Act or under draconian IPC sections," he said.
Deora, a Congress leader from Mumbai, said Maharashtra government must send out a clear message that any of these laws will not be misused by or it by local agencies. He also condemned the attack on the clinic and hoped those behind it will be brought to justice.
Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil said the state government has taken the case "very seriously."
"So far, we have arrested nine persons in connection with ransacking the clinic of Abdul Dhada. We are looking for some more people," SP Thane rural Ravindra Sengaokar told PTI.
Eminent lawyer Abha Singh filed a complaint before Maharashtra State Commission for Women alleging human rights violation in the arrest of the two girls.
She also demanded dismissal of the police officers involved in registering the case.
TOI had reported in its edition dated November 19 that Shiv Sainiks, angered by Shaheen Dhada's post on a social networking site, vandalized a clinic in Palghar owned by her uncle.
On Sunday, Shaheen Dhada (21) posted a comment on her Facebook page questioning the shutdown (following Bal Thackeray's death). Local Shiv Sainiks in Palghar objected and asked her to apologize, which she allegedly refused to initially. Despite her later posting of an apology, a big mob of activists vandalized the Dhada orthopaedic hospital belonging to her uncle Dr Abdul Dhada and manhandled staff and patients.
Under Sainiks' pressure, police detained Shaheen and her friend Rini Srinivasan (21, who had 'liked' Shaheen's comment on FB) late at night and arrested them on Monday morning for "hurting religious sentiments." The charge was later reduced and the two girls granted bail on surety of Rs 15,000 each.
Facebook post on Bal Thackeray: Shiv Sena justifies police action against two girls
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Facebook post on Bal Thackeray: Shiv Sena justifies police action against two girls
