Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets

Civil Liberties

Indian Police Officers Suspended over Facebook Arrests

Two women detained for critical post about government shutdown for Thackeray funeral

Reason Staff | 11.27.2012 11:52 AM


Officials in western India have suspended two senior police officers for arresting two women because of their Facebook posts.

The women were detained for criticizing the shutdown of the country's financial hub for last week's funeral of right-wing politician Bal Thackeray.

One woman said on Facebook that the city of Mumbai had come to a standstill "due to fear, not due to respect," and her friend "liked" the post. They later withdrew the comment and apologized.

Reason Staff
Civil LibertiesWorldFacebookSocial MediaFree SpeechTechnology