The National Commission for Women has taken cognizance of a misogynist tweet by Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav encouraging animosity and ill will against ex-Bharatiya Janata Party spokeswoman Nupur Sharma. President of the commission Rekha Sharma wrote to the DGP of Uttar Pradesh, requesting that appropriate action be taken against Akhilesh Yadav for his tweet.
NCW requested the DGP UP to take action against Akhilesh Yadav under Sections 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation), and 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code.
The letter reads, “The statement of Sh. Akhilesh Yadav is unsolicited as the matter is already being looked into by the Judiciary. Ms Nupur Sharma is already facing threat to her life and the tweet of Sh. Akhilesh is a sheer instigation to the general public to assault Ms Sharma. A fair investigation must be accomplished in a time-bound manner.”
@NCWIndia has taken cognisance. Chairperson @sharmarekha has written to @dgpup to take immediate action against Shri Akhilesh Yadav under relevant provisions of law. NCW has also sought a fair & time-bound investigation in the matter. Action taken must be apprised within 3 days. https://t.co/9pQVZ9fLhl pic.twitter.com/lqCGguMiY1
— NCW (@NCWIndia) July 4, 2022
“Considering the gravity of the matter, you are, required to take immediate action against Sh. Akhilesh Yadav under the aforesaid provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 along-with other relevant provisions of the law,” the letter further added. NCW further specified that the Commission must be notified of every detailed action taken in the case within three days.
The tweet by Akhilesh Yadav
Following the negative observations made by Supreme Court justices while hearing a petition filed by Nupur Sharma, Akhilesh Yadav wrote a tweet insulting Nupur Sharma. Akhilesh Yadav tweeted on July 1st, “Not just the mouth, but the body should also apologise and be punished for disturbing the harmony in the country.”
Social media users responded angrily to Akhilesh Yadav’s tweet and criticised its misogynistic nature.
A Twitter user wondered whether Akhilesh Yadav now wants Nupur Sharma to offer her body to the offended community so that they can rape and/or behead her?
What does this “sirf muh ko hi nahi shareer ko bhi maafi maangni chahiye” even mean?
— Twitt3r’s Moira Rose!! (@Chhokkwangun) July 1, 2022
Should #NupurSharma offer her body to the offended community so that they can rape and/or behead her?
Thank you Justice Kant for throwing a woman to the wolves.#BlackDayforIndianJudiciary https://t.co/byghZ0aJSn
Another user highlighted how Akhilesh’s tweet is nothing more than a dog whistle for physical and sexual violence against Nupur Sharma.
Is this a Dog Whistle Rape threat? #Shameless https://t.co/SGDOzNgvWB
— Swamy Yodanand 🌍 (@hindujedi) July 2, 2022
NCW President Rekha Sharma herself took note of the tweet and noted how it is instigating people to assault Nupur Sharma.
Look at this man who called himself a leader of a party. He is instigating people to assault Nupur Sharma. Writing to @Uppolice @dgpup to take action against him. Requesting Honorable Supreme Court to take Suo Moto action against him. https://t.co/ryKq14Ywqj
— Rekha Sharma (@sharmarekha) July 3, 2022
Some internet users also reminded Akhilesh Yadav of his father’s infamous quote where he defended boys accused of rape and wondered whether there ever will be an apology forthcoming in that case.
जब तेरे बाप ने रेप जैसे जघन्य अपराध पर ये कहा था कि
— DINESH CHAWLA (@iChawlaDinesh) July 1, 2022
“लड़के हैं, हो जाती हैं लड़कों से गलतियां”
तब उसके मुख ने माफी मांगी थी या शरीर ने?
दूसरों को ज्ञान बांटने से पहले आइना देख लिया करो।
😏😏
Notably, Nupur Sharma has been receiving life threats from Islamists including terrorist organizations throughout the world ever since she participated in a news debate at the end of May 2022. Nupur Sharma had petitioned the Supreme Court for the transfer of all FIRs filed against her across many states to Delhi for further investigation, stating that she is facing constant life threats.
