Introduction
Over the past few days, there have been a few controversial episodes involving our young generation. Two of the episodes relate to an online conversation where sharing of messages containing sexual remarks and morphed images of the opposite sex took place. While, the third one is a suicide case of a teenager boy in Gurugram over a Me-Too post at the hands of a girl. Since one of the online conversation groups had a name, “Bois Locker Room” which comprised male students, few social media users named its girl version, “Girl’s Locker Room” where similar activities were being carried out by a group of girls. In this article, we shall discuss the aforementioned three episodes and also how Social Media users should refrain from some activities.
“Bois Locker room”
Episode and Events aftermath
A huge outrage flared up after several social media users posted screenshots of un-sophisticated conversations from a group named, “Bois locker room”. These screenshots posted by the members of the group showed morphed photos of teenage girls and some explicit comments about their bodies. After this, the Delhi Police Cyber Crime Cell (CCC) filed a First information report in connection with the aforementioned chat group and further questioned five students from prominent schools of South Delhi between classes X and XII. The entire investigation procedure of these students was carried out in presence of their parents
These FIRs were registered under sections 465 (forgery), 471 (Using as genuine a forged document or electronic record), 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of Indian Penal Code and sections 67 (publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form) and 67A (publishing or transmitting of material containing sexually explicit act in electronic form) of the Information Technology Act. Taking cognizance of the issue, the Delhi Commission for Women issued a notice to both the Police Department and Instagram. In their notice, the commission terming the whole event a serious matter instituted an inquiry into the same. Many social media users condemned this incident as the objectification of women and normalizing rape culture. Furthermore, a hashtag #BoysLockerRoom became a top on with more than a thousand posts.
Girl’s Locker Room episode
PIL filed in the High Court of Delhi against the Bois Locker Room & Suicide case of seventeen-year-old, Manav Singh
Meanwhile, another event sent Twitter in a frenzy. In sharing of screen-shots of an Instagram chat, a version of “Bois Locker Room”, containing some voyeuristic conversations between girls, came under scrutiny. Beside the objectification of men and making repugnant comments on their body, this particular event proves that not only boys but few girls also indulge in perpetration of vulgar and explicit remarks. The report of this incident came just two days after the appalling Boys Locker Room event. However, till now, there is no lodging of even a single FIR against the girls who wrote such repugnant remarks against men.
On the other hand, a PIL in the Delhi High Court is filed against the Boys Locker Room. It alleges that “The entire issue needs to be investigated by the SIT or CBI as these students belong to high profile families. And there is an apprehension that the investigation or inquiry conducted by the local police will be influenced and wrongdoers will never be arrested and punished”.
Another event that has left most of us deeply troubled is the suicide case of Manav Singh. He is a 17-year-old student of class 12 in Gurugram. The reason for the suicide is unclear; however, the reason is allegedly a ‘MeToo’ post which accuses him of sexual assault taking place two years ago. After the sharing of the post on Social Media by the girl; all her friends allegedly harassed the boy. This event of online harassment left him so traumatized that he jumped off the balcony taking his own life. Consequently, this disastrous episode made several social media users ask several questions; like, ‘Was it right to harass the boy’? ‘What if the boy was innocent’? and, some even expressed their grief by saying that they might never get to hear his version of events.
However, some other users found it incorrect to blame the girl; it is wrong to blame a victim who shares her dreadful experience via a forum designed to serve a particular purpose. Notwithstanding anything, a complaint has been filed by his (boy) father in connection with the aforementioned suicide case. Following the suicide episode, the Police department seized his phone and sent it for Forensic analysis. The boy is no more and unfortunately, we would never be able to hear his side of the case; but to blame a girl without any solid evidence is in-correct too.
Another controversy mixing in the trend
It has been revealed by a series of Police investigations that the conversation was in reality between a girl; who through a fake account on social media platform sent messages to the boy. Creating a fake account with a name, ‘Siddharth’ she wished to test the other boy’s character via sending of messages containing rape threats. Soon after this the social media flooded with posts shaming the feminists for being silent on the latest developments. Also, some users even demanded punishment for the girl under the law for creating the whole ruckus.
Interestingly, this whole conversation took place on Snapchat and not Instagram. And none of the twenty-seven boys from the “Bois Locker Room” group were part of this conversation. The entire Snapchat conversation episode of the alleged-victim staging the whole drama is different from the “Bois Locker Room” chat on Instagram. However, condemning the latest development deplorable, Delhi Commission for Women chief, Swati Maliwal Jaihind wrote, “Disgusting that a girl sent out a Snapchat message to a boy planning her rape. ‘Bois Locker Room’ chats are not connected to this Snapchat but equally offensive & warrant legal action! The girl endangered the cause of hundreds facing cyber abuse every day! MUST be acted against too!”
Conclusion
Social Media users should not play Jury members as lack of understanding is dangerous.
Whether it is the group conversations on Snapchat and Instagram; or posting paragraphs on equality, rape culture, and feminism on Facebook; or using different hashtags to express one group’s opinion on Twitter; Social media platforms play a crucial role in the entire event. It’s true that it is not easy to stay away from these platforms; but we need to understand the fact that the contents present on them play a part in shaping our thought process. Consequently, we social media end up playing judge and jury causing more harm than good. Online Bullying, mass boycott, lecture on pseudo-feminism, and pass of judgments before well acquaintance with facts are some of the biggest issues with these platforms.
Staring with the “Bois Locker Room” episode, online feminists did not leave any stone buried; targeting patriarchal society for promoting rape culture and silently acceptation of every wrong men commit. Without awareness of facts and figures, they went on to attack the male community and society. When slapped with a similar episode of Girl’s locker room, they urged people not to connect the two episodes. For them, the former had a criminal nature; while the latter is not acceptable but devoid of any such criminal nature.
On the other hand, the suicide case of Manav Singh faced a lot of opinions and misconceptions on social media. While some users blame the girl for the entire incident; some others created a misconception by connecting the same with the earlier Boys locker room event. These people who blame the girl also sympathized with the deceased, Manav. They express their concern that the latter had no chance to confess his side of the case. In all three episodes, the one thing which is common is the lack of understanding and sensibleness.
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