How Women Raised their Voices Against Lakshadweep Administration, ONV Award and Social Media Ban
Last week, we saw the news around social media ban and WhatsApp suing the government floating around. But these did not stop 'netizens' especially women from being vocal about the issues around.
One of the main topic of discussion was around the union territory Lakshadweep. Protests had erupted on the Lakshadweep Islands after the administrator, former BJP minister Praful Khoda Patel, issued orders that threaten the sociocultural and religious identities and practices of the people, the sensitive ecology, and economy.
Lok Sabha member Mahua Moitra and writer Mitali Saran had their say on this.
Current Union Ministers of Defence, External Affairs & Road Transport among many w/ 3 children each
So how does @BJP administrator introduce draft regulation for Lakshwadeep disqualifying panchayat members w/ more than 2 children?— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) May 28, 2021
Please read this wrap-up of what #Modi's man in #Lakshwadeep, #prafulKhodaPatel, is doing. As with Kashmir, a non-consultative set of laws targeting a Muslim-majority population--some of these laws being not just unjust & destructive, but also completely absurd. Vintage #BJP. https://t.co/71FK4E2AGc
— Mitali Saran (@mitalisaran) May 26, 2021
The Centre urged the social media platforms such as Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram to comply with their new IT guidelines by May 25. This created a panic among the people on whether these platforms will face a ban. However actor Sayani Gupta asked the public not to get distracted by this and focus on the more important issues.
My two cents..(could be untrue)
Stop being Distracted by this #ban tomfoolery!Nothing's going to happen cause they need it to push their propaganda machinery more than you & me.
Ask the relevant questions!#stopcentralvistaproject #CovidVaccine #savelakshwadeep #failedleadership— Sayani Gupta (@sayanigupta) May 25, 2021
Soon after WhatsApp took the Indian Government to court against the IT guidelines, journalist Faye DSouza conducted a discussion on it with advocates Geeta Luthra and Pavan Duggal.
WhatsApp Takes Indian Government To Court @GGeetaluthra says, "I feel WhatsApp could have come to the courts earlier. But now, I feel the govt should just wait for what happens in the court."#WhatsApp
Watch the discussionhttps://t.co/Byc3qaKU6X pic.twitter.com/9adKHrG6nH— Faye DSouza (@fayedsouza) May 26, 2021
Last week also saw Delhi Police raiding the Twitter office in the capital. Journalist Swati Chaturvedi questioned the need for such a raid.
Modi can’t visit one overflowing hospital filled with people suffering yet has enough time to get the police to raid the Twitter office in New Delhi
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) May 25, 2021
Meanwhile comedian and screenwriter Neeti Palta sarcastically commented on the raid.
How we flex muscle
💪🏻
How the govt. flexes muscle #twitterraid pic.twitter.com/OlbQMbXz32— Neeti Palta (@neetipalta) May 25, 2021
In other news the fifth ONV award stirred controversies regarding the selection of the awardee Vairamuthu. Filmmaker Anjali Menon and journalist Dhanya Rajendran questioned this decision.
ONV Sir's name resounds with deep sensitivity, dignity and respect for any Malayalee. Therefore very disturbed to know that ONV Academy has chosen an alleged perpetrator (called out by 17 women) for the #ONVAward. Are these the values they celebrate? https://t.co/Y87dOIcGfj
— Anjali Menon (@AnjaliMenonFilm) May 27, 2021
ONV Award for none other than Vairamuthu. Why? They could not find anyone else? The chairman Adoor Gopalakrishnan says the jury selected him. The jury, the chairman, and all the politicians (including CM) who are part of the academy, are okay with this? pic.twitter.com/b4BMoeaYFk
— Dhanya Rajendran (@dhanyarajendran) May 26, 2021
Singer Chinmayi Sripaada, who was among the several women to make a shocking revelations against the lyricist during the #MeToo movement in 2018 - too expressed her anguish against the selection.
Mr. Vairamuthu gets the fifth ONV literary award instituted by the ONV Cultural Academy.
Wow.
Late Mr ONV Kurup would be proud.— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) May 26, 2021
Meanwhile, senior advocate Indira Jaising tweeted about a recent court hearing where she claims to have experienced a sexist approach.
The legal profession is threatened by competent women lawyers . Yesterday while arguing a Case for reservations in the High Court of Bombay, a bunch of male lawyers refused to allow me to argue uninterrupted . Judges made no efforts to stop them . Male chauvinism on display.
— Indira Jaising (@IJaising) May 26, 2021
On a lighter and happy note the cast of popular American sitcom 'Friends' reunited after 17 years. Many Friends fans across the globe, including writer Anna Vetticad took to their social media handles to express their joy.
I was nostalgic and happy, cried a lot, went hysterical with laughter and though I thought I knew everything there is to know about #Friends, I was surprised to find that I learnt a few new things while watching the #FriendsReunion. Did I tell you it made me happy? 🥰 (1/n) pic.twitter.com/MmDrHn9cH2
— Anna MM Vetticad (@annavetticad) May 27, 2021
