Mahmodul Hassan
For many netizens, a woman getting pregnant is a matter of worth discussing on popular social media sites. Apart from the discussion, it is also a subject of trolling. From the last several hours, a topic with the title “शाहीन बाग” (Shaheen Bagh) is trending on Twitter. Many users, following the same trending topic, are trolling a woman because of pregnancy.
Safoor Zargar’s arrest
It is Safoora Zargar and the news of her being pregnant in Tihar Jail is a matter of trolling on Twitter. Safoora Zargar, a research scholar from Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) University, was arrested by Delhi Police On April 11. Police accused Safoora of being a key “conspirator” in the violence that erupted in northeast Delhi in February this year. Safoora is now in Tihar Jail, the largest complex of prisons in South Asia. The 27-year-old research scholar is reportedly in the second trimester of her first pregnancy and charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 2019 (UAPA) by the police.
As soon as the news of her being pregnant came into the news, many expressed their concern. Kavita Krishnan, an activist wrote,” Anand Teltumbde is known to have serious respiratory issues making him vulnerable to Covid-19, yet his health and life are jeopardized by jailing him under UAPA. Three months pregnant Safoora Zargar – jailed under UAPA. These atrocities have to STOP!”
Subject of trolling
But, there are scores of netizens who have made it a matter of trolling. Starting from asking, ‘Who is the father?’ to naming and shaming a woman is a new normal for many.
A user tweeted, “शाहीन बाग activist Safura is world famous now for her great achievement. But who is the father?”
शाहीन बाग activist Safura is world famous now for her great achievement. But who is the father ???? $Billion question 😂 pic.twitter.com/qQRGlo4dqE
— ImmortalEye (@ImmortalEye1) May 3, 2020
Another user concatenates it to the research scholar’s religion. The user writes, “She had s** before marriage got pregnant which is “HARAM”. Why are supporting her?
Is “ZINA” allowed in Islam now? If she can give hate speeches and stand to protest while in pregnancy then she can easily handle to jail also. Isn’t she?”
#शाहीन_बाग TWO POINTS
1.She had sex before marriage got pregnant which is “HARAM”. Why are supporting her?
Is “ZINA” allowed in islam now?2.If she can give hate speeches and stand to protest while in pregnancy then she can easily handle to jail also. Isn’t she? pic.twitter.com/XLit6Nqh6s
— Abhinav Raj Rathore (@Warrior_Abhinav) May 3, 2020
‘Target of right-wing’
Research scholars, students, and even activists are now questioning the trolling of Safoora Zargar in this manner. ” Women have always been a target of the right-wing, be it the trolls making fun of the ladies sitting at Shaheen Bagh by putting a price tag to their struggle or be it the UP CM mocking women sitting at Ghanta Ghar. However, they often forget that it has been women that have led remarkable revolutions, be it Rani Laxmi Bai or Fatima Sheikh. This is just an attempt of the miscreants to discredit a movement that literally becomes a nightmare for the government. Our women shall be out, leading us again. India shall rise to Shaheen Bagh 2.0,” said a person on condition of anonymity.
Like several others, a user took the issue to social media asserting that no one has the right to talk about a woman’s personal life. The user wrote,” You can support #shaheenbagh or do not support it, but you have no right to talk about a woman’s personal life on a public platform. She has all the legal rights to be pregnant without marriage. And about morality, you better not discuss that!”
You can support #shaheenbagh or not support it but you have no right to talk about a woman’s #SafooraZargar personal life on a public platform. She has all legal rights to be pregnant without marriage. And about morality you better not discuss that !
— Vidushi (@shaktividhi) May 3, 2020
Safoora Zargar participated in the movement against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Many are now demanding her release.
