A new development has taken place in the Savitribai Phule controversy. Indic Tales, Hindu Post, and the Twitter account TrueIndology were all named in an FIR filed by the Mumbai Police on Wednesday night. The case has been filed for allegedly “spreading false and malicious” content against social reformer Kratijyoti Savitribai Phule. It has been alleged that the content published by them was intended to inflame feelings and foster animosity between different groups.
A group of NCP leaders protested outside the Mumbai Police Commissioner’s office earlier on Wednesday in response to ‘derogatory’ content on the websites Indic Tales and Hindu Post. They were led by Maharashtra Leader of the Opposition Ajit Pawar, former Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, and NCP State Chief Jayant Patil.
The leaders met with the chief of the Mumbai city police department and handed him a letter signed by the three NCP stalwarts demanding that these websites be shut down. They also claimed that the articles, which denigrated Savitribai Phule’s contributions, had been published with the intention of stirring up trouble.
Chhagan Bhujbal stated, “Indic Tales and Hindu Post have projected Savotribai Phule in a wrong manner. They have made highly objectionable remarks that cannot be tolerated in a progressive state like Maharashtra. Savitribai Phule was a great social worker. She had done pioneering work in the field of women and education. She started the first school for women in Pune.”
After they arrived at his office, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde immediately gave Chief Secretary Manoj Saunik instructions to look into the situation and file a report, adding that any insults to public figures like Savitribai Phule would not be condoned.
“The website ‘Indic Tales’ has written many objectionable things about Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule in its published article, and many political organizations and social organizations have raised objections to the government. Taking cognizance of these objections, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has directed to check the content of this website and take action against it,” the CM informed in a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
क्रांतीज्योती सावित्रीबाई फुले यांच्याविषयी आक्षेपार्ह लिखाण करणाऱ्या 'इंडिक टेल्स' या वेबसाईटवर कारवाई करण्याचे निर्देश मुख्यमंत्री @mieknathshinde यांनी मुख्य सचिवांना दिले आहेत.
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) May 31, 2023
'इंडिक टेल्स' या वेबसाईटने क्रांतीज्योती सावित्रीबाई फुले यांच्याविषयी प्रसिद्ध केलेल्या… pic.twitter.com/8FJPaHJNL5
It further cautioned, “While writing about revered personalities of our society, it should be well researched and the authors, and publishers should ensure that it won’t lead to disrespect any of the respected personalities.” It is pertinent to note that the FIR has been filed against popular Twitter handle TrueIndology as well.
