Javed Akhtar 'appalled' by Modi's silence over auction of Muslim women in India

Celebrated lyricist lashed out at the Indian Prime Minister for not addressing the gravity of the ongoing situation

Indian authorities have launched an investigation into an app in which hundreds of Muslim women were listed for “auction” using photos taken from their social media accounts without their permission.

The Delhi police registered a case after getting a complaint from journalist Ismat Ara, whose name is also listed on the Bulli Bai app. Hundreds of images of Muslim women were uploaded to the app on the open software development site GitHub, and users were asked to take part in an "auction."

Many Bollywood actors took to social media and extended support for Indian Muslim women. Swara Bhaskar, Richa Chadha and Farhan Akhtar took a stand for the marginalised community under Modi's regime. Now, celebrated lyricist Javed Akhtar has lashed out at the Indian Prime Minister for not addressing the gravity of the ongoing situation. 

"There is an online auction of hundred women. There are so-called Dharm Sansads, advising the army the police and the people to go for the genocide of almost 200 million Indians," he said, adding, "I am appalled with everyone's silence including my own and particularly of the Prime Minister [Narendra Modi]."

There is an online auction of hundred women There are so called Dharm Sansads , advising the army the police n the people to go for the genocide of almost 200 MLN Indians .I am appalled with every one ‘s silence including my own n particularly of The PM . Is this Sub ka saath ?

— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) January 3, 2022

Soon after his stance, Akhtar was called out by right-wingers on Twitter. Calling them out, the Indian screenwriter shared, "The moment I raised my voice against the online auction of women and those glorifying Godse and preaching genocide to the army police and people, some bigots have started abusing my great, great grandfather - a freedom fighter who died in Kala Pani in 1864."

The moment I raised my voice against the online auction of women n those glorifying Godse n preaching genocide to the army police n people some bigots have started abusing my great great grand father a freedom fighter who died in kala pani in 1864 What do you say to such idiots

— Javed Akhtar (@Javedakhtarjadu) January 4, 2022

He concluded with, "What do you say to such idiots?"

Backstory

The app appeared to be similar to another one called "Sulli Deals" which sparked outrage about six months ago by offering users "Sulli" – a derogatory name used by right-wing social media trolls for Muslim women – as so-called "deals of the day".

The account has been blocked by GitHub and the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and police authorities are coordinating further action, said Information and Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Twitter. Many social media users voiced support for the women, arguing that the purpose of targeting Muslim women is to cause physical and mental agony. Many claimed the people behind the apps are from right-wing groups.

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