"Attempt To Sexualise, Dehumanise Muslim Women": Women In Criminal Law Association Condemns Harassment Of Muslim Women In "Bulli Bai" App

Condemning the "Islamophobic harassment" Indian Muslim Women through the Bulli Bai webpage, the Women in Criminal Law Association issued a solidarity statement with Muslim Women who have been targets of these apps. The statement expresses solidarity with the Indian Muslim women whose photographs and information have been shared without their knowledge or consent on Bulli Bai and unconditionally condemn this attempt to "sexualise, dehumanise and harass Muslim women." It states: 

"This is a targeted, misogynistic hate campaign directed at Muslim women punishable under Indian criminal law. The terms "Sulli" and "Bulli" are derogatory slurs used to specifically insult and disrespect Muslim women and constitute hate speech. "Auctioning" women on the internet also amounts to a gross violation of their constitutional right to dignity, privacy, and bodily autonomy"

The Statement notes that in a similar case of 'Sulli Deals' no action was taken against perpetrators despite two FIRs having been registered by the police in Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi. "Not a single arrest had been made as yet in connection with Sulli Deals and this has emboldened the accused to act with impunity," the statement notes. 

In this regard, WCLA makes certain demands in its statement -

1. Swift action against creators of Sulli Deas and Bulli Bai by the Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra police.

2. GitHub direct resources immediately towards ensuring that anyone who made a copy, or 'fork,' of the code on their own GitHub account and/or liked/starred the Sulli Deals and/or Bulli Bai repositories do not have other projects that include similar hate speech, misogyny, violence, or otherwise unacceptable material.

3.  GitHub direct more resources immediately towards specifically scanning all upcoming GitHub webpages for Islamophobic, misogynistic content, and specifically similar "auctions" of Indian Muslim women, to ensure that such webpages are taken down promptly in the future, and their creators do not enjoy impunity from GitHub.

4. GitHub cooperates with Indian Law enforcement agencies and share all information available on the creators of "Sulli Deals" and "Bulli Bai" webpages. 
5. Prosecution of accused under relevant sections of S.153A, 153B, 354A and 509 of the Indian Penal Code along with Section 66 and 67 of the IT Act. 

On Monday, the Mumbai Police had arrested a 21-year-old engineering student in connection with the Bulli Bai App case and sent him to police custody till January 10. There have been news reports of two other arrests being made in the Bulli Bai App case. 

Read/Download the Solidarity Statement here