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Women organisations condemn online abuse of rights activist, lawyer

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, April 11 - The recent incident of issue of threat to a rights activist on Facebook has set alarm bells ringing for conscious citizens here. Coming out against the growing intolerance on the social media, a number of organisations and individuals have vehemently condemned the online abuse and threat messages issued to human rights activist Bondita Acharya and advocate Nandita Talukdar.

The messages threatening the duo of dire consequences, including murder, rape and acid attack, were posted on Facebook by some individuals after both Acharya and Talukdar voiced their opinion against the arrest of three persons for consumption of beef in Jorhat.

All India Democratic Women�s Association, Sishu Sarothi, Asom Mahila Sangha, Assam Mahila Samata Society, Chetana Pragatishil Nari Mancha, Dibrugarh, Foundation for Social Transformation and North East Network have strongly condemned the incident, terming it as an attack on the freedom of speech, and also a criminal offence against women.

�It is criminal to use sexual and other forms of violence as a tool to suppress the democratic voices of women. We are concerned about the growing intolerance against vocal women and also different forms of violence against women in Assam.�Such action is targeted at not only the two women, but also the entire community of women who have a right to a life of freedom and dignity,� a statement jointly issued by the organisations said.

�We strongly condemn the violation of a woman�s dignity and threat to her bodily integrity. These growing online abuses are criminal in nature and they violate women�s rights guaranteed through the Constitution�and laws of India,� the organisations added.

While urging the State authorities to take action against those indulging in the online abuse, the organisations and social activists Banamallika Choudhury and Keteki Bardalai called upon the civil society and citizens to raise their voice and oppose such acts of abuse against women.

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