On Friday (June 18), Urban Dictionary sparked a furore on Twitter after it described Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Mayawati as an “unmarried pornstar”.
The crowd-sourced online dictionary had made the contentious tweet in response to a Twitter user (@Tenzin_21). According to the website, the top definition of Mayawati is “An unmarried pornstar. A woman who can do everything for power. Kanshi Ram’s secret wife and ex-girlfriend of Mulayam Singh.”
The definition was added by one Nazia Khan on May 4 last year.
Netizens demand action against Urban Dictionary
The tweet sparked outrage on social media, with netizens calling for the suspension of the online dictionary. The Print columnist Dilip Mandal, who has found himself surrounded by controversies in the past, tweeted, “Dear RS Prasad, this is very serious. Take strong action against the culprits. Twitter India, this is unacceptable. There must be some Indian guy behind this bot. Must be arrested. #SuspendUrbanDictionary.”
Dear @rsprasad @GoI_MeitY This is very serious. Take strong action against the culprits. @TwitterIndia @verified @TwitterSafety @manishm @amritat this is unacceptable. There must be some Indian guy behind this bot. Must be arrested. #SuspendUrbanDictionary https://t.co/789io2SK4T
— Dilip Mandal (@Profdilipmandal) June 18, 2021
Hindu Ecosystem official wrote, “Political differences doesn’t mean you will abuse a women…Delhi Police, will you arrest the person behind this cheap mentality? #SuspendUrbanDictionary”
Political differences doesn’t mean you will abuse a women.. @DelhiPolice will you arrest the person behind this cheap mentality..#SuspendUrbanDictionary pic.twitter.com/EYQ1XoWjYO
— Hindu Ecosystem official ਹਿੰਦੂ ਇਕੋਸਿਸਟਮ (@HinduEcosystem_) June 18, 2021
Another Twitter user emphasised, “Not surprised by the name, a woman named Nadia Khan has submitted the definition in urban dictionary, such a disgraceful comment on a woman by urban dictionary, jai bheem, jai meem is a meme in reality, see how much hate a muslim woman has for dalit woman.”
Not surprised by the name, a woman named Nadia Khan has submitted the definition in urban dictionary, such a disgraceful comment on a woman by urban dictionary, jai bheem, jai meem is a meme in reality, see how much hate a muslim woman has for dalit woman #SuspendUrbanDictionary pic.twitter.com/AeFCUsqKL5
— Monalisha painting (@Monalis07358214) June 18, 2021
A user tweeted, “This is a very condemnable talk for a woman (Mayawati ji) #ArrestNaziaKhan #SuspendUrbanDictionary.”
This is a very condemnable talk for a woman (Mayavatiji) #ArrestNaziaKhan#SuspendUrbanDictionary pic.twitter.com/IHuGhEidaq
— ठाकुर साहेब (@hGnzNXGiuDXLwXv) June 19, 2021
One Shruti Gautam wrote, “If their mentality is so bad then how bad will these people be… #SuspendUrbanDictionary.”
If their mentality is so bad then how bad will these people be#SuspendUrbanDictionary pic.twitter.com/YwuHdYfjKg
— Shruti Gautam (@Realshruti_) June 18, 2021
One Karamjot Singh tweeted, “This is too much bad language to describe a lady. This is Intolerable and we Shame on @urbandictionary for this bad behaviour. #SuspendUrbanDictionary”
This is too much bad language to describe a lady. This is Intolerable and we Shame on @urbandictionary for this bad behaviour.#SuspendUrbanDictionary@SUNNYAMBEDKAR3 pic.twitter.com/NuXV7Zmk8H
— Karamjot Singh (Faridkot) (@Karamjot_Singh1) June 18, 2021
UP Police registers FIR, directs Twitter India to take action
Following the upheaval on the microblogging site, UP Police took cognisance of the matter. In a tweet, it said, “ADG Cyber Crime, UP Police has been directed to immediately register an FIR against urban dictionary for the derogatory & demeaning tweet. Twitter India is being notified for action against the handle at their end.”
ADG Cyber Crime, UPPolice has been directed to immediately register an FIR against @urbandictionary for the derogatory & demeaning tweet. @TwitterIndia is being notified for action against the handle at their end. https://t.co/krbeeJyUeU
— UP POLICE (@Uppolice) June 18, 2021
At the time of writing the article, Urban Dictionary neither deleted the tweet nor issued any clarification.
