Bulli Bai App: The goal is to degrade, humiliate and harass, said some of its targets. (representative)
New Delhi:
Complaints about hundreds of Muslim women listed for “auction” on a risky app with photographs downloaded without permission have sparked a major controversy for the second time in less than a year.
Delhi police said they were investigating a case brought by journalist Ismat Ara, while Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Member of Parliament from Maharashtra’s ruling Shiv Sena, said an investigation had also been launched in Mumbai.
The case has been noted. Concerned officials have been asked to take appropriate action.
– #DelhiPolice (@DelhiPolice) January 1, 2022
have spoken to @CPMumbaiPolice and DCP Crime Rashmi Karandikar ji. They will investigate this. have also spoken with @DGPMaharashtra for intervention. Hope those behind such misogynistic and sexist sides are apprehended. https://t.co/Ofo1l9dgIl
– Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@ priyankac19) January 1, 2022
I have repeatedly asked Hon. IT Minister @AshwiniVaishnaw ji to take strict steps against such violent misogyny and common targeting of women through #sullideals as platforms. A shame that it keeps being ignored. https://t.co/Q3JLxZpNeC
– Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@ priyankac19) January 1, 2022
Mumbai’s cyber police have launched an investigation into the offensive content on the ‘Bulli Bai’ app, an official told the PTI news agency.
The app appeared to be a clone of Sulli Deals, which sparked a brawl last year by offering users a “Sulli” – a derogatory term used by right-wing social media trolls for Muslim women – and calling them “the offer of the day”.
Although there were no real sales involved, the purpose of the app was to demean, humiliate and harass, some of its goals said.
“The ‘Bulli Bai’ app works in the same way as ‘Sulli Deals’ did. When you open it, you randomly find the face of a Muslim woman who appears as Bulli Bai,” said one social media user.
Muslim women with a strong presence on Twitter have been highlighted and their photos were again listed on the platform.
The abuse provoked strong condemnation on Twitter.
It is very sad that as a Muslim woman you have to start your new year with this feeling of fear & disgust. It goes without saying that I am not the only one who is targeted in this new version of #sullideals. Screenshot by a friend this morning.
Happy New Year. pic.twitter.com/pHuzuRrNXR
– Ismat Ara (@IsmatAraa) January 1, 2022
There are many Muslim names, including mine, in the disgusting #BulliDeals , same as #SulliDeals
Even Najeeb’s mother has not been spared. It is a reflection on India’s ruined legal system, a dilapidated law and order. Are we becoming the most insecure country for women?Sayema (@_sayema) January 1, 2022
Disgusting. Lack of action by the authorities has made these criminals rude. @AshwiniVaishnaw@NCWIndia@DelhiPolice please inquire and take strict precautions https://t.co/jTzs0XeVxx
– Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) January 1, 2022
It is unacceptable that this project of dangerous anti-Muslim misogyny is back. A shocking accusation against the state of affairs that not only was something done last time, these forces felt brave to repeat it all because the establishment backs them. https://t.co/0huEq05zp4
– Karti P Chidambaram (@KartiPC) January 1, 2022
In rage and solidarity with @IsmatAraa, Samreen and other Muslim women are being subjected to disgusting online “auctions” of rape sanghi dirt. Conscious passivity from the police #sullideals has encouraged the terrorists to re-emerge as #bullibai. https://t.co/gLC4WIoiPV
– Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) January 1, 2022
The app appeared to have been removed after being released on the Microsoft-owned software-sharing platform GitHub, which allows anyone to upload an app under development.
By removing the Sulli Bai app after complaints last time, GitHub had said, “We suspended user accounts after investigating reports of such activity, all of which violate our policies.”
According to PTI, two First Information Reports or FIRs were filed by Delhi and Uttar Pradesh Police in the ‘Sulli Deals’ controversy last year after images of Muslim women were misused but no significant action was taken against those responsible.