Why it's a good thing Abhijeet and Sonu Nigam won't sing on Twitter for now
Even on a regular day, Twitter could be pretty trashy, but the past couple of days have seen a whole new low. The possible saving grace in this situation, however, is that Twitter – not usually known for going out of its way to curb voices that troll, abuse and threaten – suspended the account of singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya, after he was found posting abusive and derogatory tweets about women.
It all started with actor and BJP MP Paresh Rawal, who “suggested” that author Arundhati Roy should be tied to a Jeep's bonnet and be used as a human shield. Inflammatory as it was, Rawal was not the only provocateur. Joining forces with him was once-famous Bollywood singer and regular foul-mouth on social media, Abhijeet Bhattacharya.
Bhattacharya added an “and shoot them”, to a suggestion that is technically war-crime and an internationally acknowledged human rights atrocity.
But this is not the first time Bhattacharya has expressed opinion that can be considered vitriolic and derogatory.
On Monday, May 22, the singer targeted JNU student-activist Shehla Rashid after she tweeted a Hindustan Times story about a sex racket, and the alleged involvement of four people, including a man called Tinu Jain who reportedly operated "Narendra Modi Army Brigade". While Jain claimed that he was a member of the BJP’s youth wing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the BJP was quick to point out that Jain was not, in fact, a part of either BJP or any related outfit.
Rashid, however, shared the story with a text that clearly implied that the ruling party did have links to that sex racket, among others including that of child trafficking. A baseless accusation should be met with many things — criticism and fact-check, yes; personal attacks, no. The 58-year-old Bollywood singer, instead of calling out the "authenticity" of her claim, quoted her tweet with his two cents: “There is rumour she took money for two hours and didn’t satisfy the client… big racket.”
Slow claps.
But again, Bhattacharya has many more feathers in his cap. Responding to another tweet, where a woman on Twitter called him out for his words, he wrote, “You Ms Pak. Tell me your cage no? Will reach there… Will do the favourite pose.”
Last year in July, the singer was arrested and had his phone confiscated by the Mumbai police for abusing journalist Swati Chaturvedi on Twitter. She called out his claim that Chennai Infosys techie Swathi's murder was "love jihad". Bhattacharya had tweeted “Besharam budhiya [shameless crone] U not proud of Indians? Wats your breed? U sk pakis..I fk Pakis, U lick..I kick, dnt block just wait (sic)”.
For better or for worse, Twitter suspended the singer’s account; of course, not before his account was reported for abuse by several people of Twitter, including journalists and politicians.
Big shout out to all those who reported that scum #Abhijeet. Shows that if we keep fighting, even the vilest Bhakt can be brought down
— Aditya Menon (@AdityaMenon22) May 23, 2017
His action is a criminal offence under our cyber crime against women laws. He must be booked & made to pay a price. https://t.co/oSlTUxVMk9
— Arvind Jha (@jalajboy) May 23, 2017
In other countries such people are known as terrorists. In Hindu Rashtra one is a Singer and another is MP. Way of life indeed... pic.twitter.com/x68tXj5TVr
— X (@brumbyOz) May 22, 2017
But that’s not all that Twitter did. They even tried to force Paresh Rawal to delete his tweet on Arundhati Roy, as was highlighted by Priti Gandhi, the national executive member of BJP Mahila Morcha.
This is an absolute shocker! @SirPareshRawal being asked to delete his tweet by @twitter. Whatever happened to freedom of expression? #Shame pic.twitter.com/QMrRnha7Zg
— Priti Gandhi (@MrsGandhi) May 23, 2017
After his suspension, when contacted by PTI, Bhattacharya said, "Author Arundhati Roy and people supporting JNU are behind the suspension of his account.”
Talking about Twitter attempt to delete Rawal’s inflammatory tweet, the singer said, "Yes, I just saw it. They are trying to block Paresh Rawal also. All Arundhati and JNU group behind this after Paresh Rawal and I tweeted against Arundhati for her anti-India stand.”
Bhattacharya’s pro-Modi and pro-Hindutva opinions have turned him into something of a favourite in the right-wing Twitter circles. Obviously, his suspension was seen by them as, not only an attack on the freedom of expression, something they are quick to point out as liberal hypocrisy. Of course, what they forget is that while liberals strive for free speech, they also acknowledge accountability. And while reporting someone’s account for abuse, just because he or she is foul-mouthed, may be stretching it, the fact is that on the liberal side of the fence, freedom of expression means that one does not get a sedition charges or death threats against them for a contrarian view.
Additionally, there is a clear trend that can be observed here. Foul mouths and distasteful folk are pretty common on both ends of the political spectrum, character assassination and calling women activists sluts, prostitutes or any other creative word for the same is a phenomenon that somehow exists more in the right-wing. The trend #IStandWithAbhijeet is proof enough that hypernationalists choose abuse over civility and would rather support a sexist man.
Another side effect of the suspension of Bhattacharya’s account was that Sonu Nigam, another Bollywood singer who recently courted controversy, rage-quit the social media site. Before quitting, Nigam documented his reason in 24 tweets.
1 Hello Press, Twitteratis, Tweeples and Tweetios, get ready to take screen shots of my following messages for they won't remain here 4 long
2 I bid adieu to Twitter and my close to 7 Million followers today, leaving most Disappointed and angry at me, and some Sadists Happy.
3 I have come to understand that "You can wake up someone who's sleeping, but can not wake up one who's pretending to sleep when he's awake"
4 Media, is divided. Some Nationalists, some just Cold blooded Pseudos not ready to learn from our History of Traitors.
5 Hv seen Love Pouring in from Most Quarters 4 my Balanced approach; & unreasonable, illogical, ruthless, Profanities being hurled frm other
6 People blessing you on one hand; and some wishing Death upon you. Even some young Girls and Boys and Kids behave like terrorists.
7 A woman can endorse a picture of Gautam Gambhir in the front of the Army Jeep, & Paresh Rawal, Criticized for doing d same to someone else
8 Accepted Arundhati has d right to her opinion about Kashmir, but then the other billion Indians have the right to feel Let Down too right?
9 And we have stopped being Humans. We are nothing beyond Proud Muslims, Hindus, Pakistanis, Indians.Gosh.Such arrogance 4 being so stupid?
10 One Could disagree wth Abhijeetda's language but isn't Shehla's accusation tht BJP has a Sex Racket, Provocation enough to Supporters?
11 If His account is deleted, why not Her? And the other Morons who hurl Mother Sister abuses to every Achiever?
12 Where's the Balance? How is it all so one sided? Why is everyone so Angry here on Twitter? Why can't there be a Sensible discussion?
13 It only goes to prove that most humans, cannot digest power when it comes to them unchecked. They need Reins to hold them back.
14 I have nothing against Twitter, it's a Game Changer. Yet Twitter cud have been a Greater Platform. It's like Porn, shown in Theatres.
15 I quit Twitter Today in Defiance of this One Sided Sham. Every Logical, Sensible Patriot and Humanist should.
16 I am sorry I don't belong to a place which spews so much Venom with such Relish! A place that taints me Anti Muslim in some losers' minds
17 I have no Religion. I follow my own religion choosing d Best from everywhere. Those who understand, know; those who don't, my condolences
18 I don't belong 2 a place whr sm Pseudo Intellectuals actually turn a Blind Eye to d Unprecedented slap I gave 2 d Fatva proclaimers on me
19 I am no Right Wing, No Left Wing. I respect everyone's Opinion but I guess Here, you have to Belong Somewhere.
20 I hope I never need to return here to Clarify, but I never say Never! At this point, my Pious life, needs to Declutter.
21 I don't know what will be made out of these Threads of mine, and what new Controversy I'll get in2, but this shud b d last due 2 Twitter.
22 And if there's a Newer Platform with some Filter, I'd be Owning it! We'll see each other there. Goodbye till then 6.5 Millions.
23 B.P.S
People getting married? U can actually know d entire Psychology & Class of a Partner by just going through his Twitter Time line
24 Shall Delete d account in a bit so the messages are conveyed clearly and with Utmost Humility and Good Intent. Thanks Twitter.
At the end of the day, however, it really does not matter who quit and who got suspended. Because the overwhelming support for Abhijeet Bhattacharya on Twitter is an indication of the sad turn public discourse has taken in this country.