Last week, social media once again was vocal about social issues. Netizens wished Muslims across the world #EidMubarak and the MTV Awards made Black Panther fans happy. On a more serious note, users highlighted important issues regarding hate speech, women’s empowerment and injustice.
1. Virat and Anushka
Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and his wife, actress Anushka Sharma pulled over and confronted a man who they witnessed littering from a “luxury” car. Kohli posted a video of the incident on social media and received mixed reactions. Some applauded the celebrity couple, while others including the mother of the man shamed by the couple were infuriated.
2. Bus hostess killed
A Pakistani bus hostess was shot dead for refusing a marriage proposal. Following the spread on social media of the disturbing CCTV footage of Mehwish Arshad’s death last week, netizens condemned the incident. The incident sparked a social media discussion about sexism and violence against women in the country.
3. Mob lynching in India
A few days after news spread of two man being killed for suspicion of cattle theft in Jharkhand, India, a farmer from Uttar Pradesh was attacked and killed by a mob for the same reason. Social media was outraged at the lynching incidents and many blamed the BJP-led government for encouraging such sentiments against specific groups.
4. #EidMubarak
Muslims around the world celebrated Eid Al Fitr and posted their greetings online. Non-Muslim netizens also took to online platforms to forward their wishes on the occasion. World leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wished those who celebrate.
5. MTV Awards
The MTV Awards trended across social media platforms as people cheered for their favourite celebrities. The African-American community was the highlight of the night especially when the star of the movie Black Panther Chadwick Boseman handed over his Best Hero award to James Shaw Jr who stopped a shooter that had walked into the Tennessee Waffle House with a gun and opened fire in April.
6. Imran against feminism?
In an interview, Pakistani politician Imran Khan said that feminism is “degrading the role of motherhood” and social media erupted. Many took to online platforms to school the former cricket star on women empowerment and others doubted his credibility as a politician.
7. Blatant bigotry?
Tweep Pooja Singh contacted Indian telecom giant Bharti Airtel Limited support on Twitter. When a Muslim customer care agent replied, she requested to be connected to a Hindu agent. Social media users slammed Airtel for granting her request. More importantly, users were concerned over hate speech getting ‘normalised’ in the country.
