A non-governmental organisation on Monday submitted to Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik certain “morphed” images of “atrocities” on Muslims in Assam and Myanmar which were allegedly used to garner public support for the August 11 protest which turned riotous at the city’s Azad Maidan.
“We have also shared details of the misuse of certain photographs from the Internet claiming that these are about atrocities on Rohingyas in Burma when in fact they belong to different tragedies and protests,” said a press note issued by Citizens for Justice and Peace’ (CJP).
In the letter to Mr. Patnaik, the CJP has annexed a copy of the blog written by a Pakistani writer Faraz Ahmed on July 19, 2012, with the heading ‘Social media is lying to you about Burma’s Muslim ‘cleansing.”
Drastic manipulation
The blog categorically stated that the images used to incite people are “drastic manipulation.” “These images are false and are only igniting hatred and prejudice in our youth. We need to become more vigilant and aware of the credibility and authenticity of pictures we browse through. It only takes one wrong image to push us over the edge towards extremism,” the blogger has allegedly written, according to the copy annexed by CJP.
Teesta Setalvad, CJP secretary also congratulated the Police Commissioner, saying: “His mature handling of a potentially explosive situation on Saturday did ensure that matters were brought under control. Most of all his immediate presence at the venue within minutes of the situation spiralling out of control, his direct appeal to the protesters and organisers, his reference to the bloodbath of 1992-1993 worked to calm the crowd and draw apologies from many sections of the Muslim community.”
