JOIN USSocial media abuzz with versions of Friday mayhem
The social media has reacted sharply to Friday’s ugly incidents at the City Civil Court Complex, with most users describing the lawyers’ assault on journalists and policemen as “shameful”, but a handful of others have defended the black coats and said the media coverage was “biased”.
Facebook and Twitter remained abuzz as users articulated their views, reactions, ripostes, etc on the incident that reflects poorly on the law and order situation in Karnataka.
Vijay Gupta, a Facebook user, said he was a proud Bangalorean but would hang his head in shame at the incident. “In Kannada, there is a saying “Rakshakare Bakshakaraadare...’ (If protectors become devourers /destroyers...) ( it is) very apt in the current situation. I, a proud Bangalorean, lower (sic) my head in shame at the atrocities committed by LAWYERS! Shame on them!”
@sherryshroff termed the incident “absolutely unacceptable”. Well-known radio jockey Pallavi (@RJPallavi) was shocked and described the lawyers as “terrorists in black”. @DiyaSen1 called the lawyers “most lawless of 'em all”. @nambiars25 said the attack “has become a shame on the part of the judiciary...”
The lawyers, however, did find a handful of supporters. @rrk312 retorted thus to @RJPallavii: “You (sic) calling #lawyers #terroristsinblack is uncalled for…”
@Mahadevanmenon tweeted: “actually emotionally i was with the lawyers… — hoped you gave these journalists beating of a life time (sic).” @Nationalist09 found this lesson from the incident: “When you do wrong reporting, people don't support you at wrong time too.” @imranmohammed15 tweeted: “shameless media do not report Jurnos setting aflame vehicles (sic) and beating up lawyers in a retaliation attack.”
Milli Shivapurmath, an advocate who claimed to be an eye witness to the “whole massacre” of his co-professionals, posted this on FB: “Plz 4God's sake n 4 the sake of peace n harmony, stop propaganda against the whole advocate community. Media shudn't 4get its professional ethics... Stop publicising one-sided story of self victimisation n massacre of advocate brethren. The whole state n country is being taken 4a ride n misinformed.” Shivapurmath said: “I’m devastated, shattered, n terrorised by the unruly, heart-wrenching n extreme inhumane atrocities of police against unarmed n helpless advocates...” He described the incident as “nothing short of Jalianwala Bagh”.
He called the electronic media “unethical, hyped n (of) dual standard”. Narrating his own account, Shivapurmath claimed that “1st advocates were provoked, attacked n when they retaliated, their actions were captured, hyped n publicised beyond truth... It was murder of truth n democracy.”
“The entire road from Mysore bank till KR Circle was cordoned off by BRUTAL POLICE n not even a street dog was allowed 2 pass thru... Women advocates were assaulted n misbehaved with. Male advocates were chased like dogs n were murderously lathi-charged... kicked on private organs, mauled n left 2bleed... n some dragged n thrown in2 ambulances. Brutal n inhuman police threw stones n broke glasses, doors n window panes, torched countless bikes n cars of advocates, didn't let any advocate 2get in or out of court building n even the principal judge was lathi-charged. whoever tried 2go home or escape were beaten... It was complete mayhem, anarchy, lawlessness n suppression of true happenings.”
@scsosho was among the more sensible of the lot: “The ones beating and the ones receiving beating should not be identified by their professions.”
A few users suspected the incident was politically motivated. @Iamtssudhir had this to say: “Did BJP ministers outsource the job of beating journalists to lawyers? Paid lawyers like #paidmedia?”
The users were also angry at the police’s initial “inaction”. A few of them criticised Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda for “not doing enough” to restore order.
@BewakOOf_Ladka tweeted: “Lawyers beating up journalists... Policemen beating up lawyers... But our CM Gowda smiles as usual!”
Some users were surprised at what they thought was the media’s “reluctance” to protest. @rmurthy15 responded thus to @sardesairajdeep: “Lawyers brutally beating up journalists and breaking telecast equipment…! Why no protest from the media?”