Bengaluru: Senior Karnataka IPS officer D. Roopa Moudgil got embroiled in an escalating online controversy late Wednesday as multiple hashtags trended on microblogging site Twitter over the suspension of an account she had a heated exchange with on the issue of Diwali cracker ban.
The hashtags #ShameOnIPSRoopa and #BringBackTrueIndology — a reference to the user ‘True Indology’ (@TLinExile) — surfaced hours after Twitter suspended the account for violation of Twitter rules.
Social media users criticised the IPS officer for “suspending” the account. Many including actor Kangana Ranaut even called for action against the officer.
Again and again and again..@Twitter has suspended @TIinExile account yet again. Shame on you guys. Thoo.@TwitterIndia @TwitterSupport#BringBackTrueIndology #TrueIndology pic.twitter.com/rxPOuvLU6T
— Chiru Bhat | ಚಿರು ಭಟ್ (@mechirubhat) November 18, 2020
It's simply abuse of power. IPS officers are appointed as public servant but they seem to be more busy settling personal ego issues. This shows intellect and wisdom don't go hand in hand.#TrueIndology fought with facts. @TwitterIndia #BringBackTrueIndology . #ShameOnIPSRoopa pic.twitter.com/WkWx5tdIwW
— Ad.Amardeep (@AdAmardeep2) November 19, 2020
She should be suspended, such cops are a shame in the name of police force #ShameOnYouIPSRoopa we can’t let her get her evil ways #BringBackTrueIndology https://t.co/3rmraOW2lv
— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) November 18, 2020
The row started 14 November when Roopa shared her thoughts on the ban in a Facebook post. In her post explaining why the ban is justified, she said, “… there’s nothing Hindu about crackers”.
When she shared this post on Twitter, it caused a stir over the significance of crackers to Hindu religion. She repeatedly explained her stand even as several Right-wing users questioned whether the government will ban loudspeakers in mosques or chopping of trees for Christmas celebrations.
True Indology was among the Twitter users who questioned her. The account with nearly 2 lakh followers claimed that the use of crackers was a Hindu tradition and is mentioned in ancient scriptures.
Roopa strongly contested the view and began a debate with the user to post details from the scriptures that would support his claim that it was an ancient practice. The argument led to several users trolling her and some even threatening her.
After a long war of words between the two, Twitter suspended True Indology’s handle. In an Instagram post, the user claimed that in one of her tweets she told True Indology that “ur time’s up”.
ThePrint reached Roopa for a comment but she declined.
Also read: Bursting firecrackers on Diwali isn’t the problem. Making it a national and moral issue is
What Roopa said
D. Roopa Moudgil is currently serving as Karnataka’s Home Secretary. The IPS officer first shot into the limelight in 2017 after she exposed special treatment being provided to All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Amma) leader V.K. Sasikala in jail.
In her latest post that caused online flutter, Roopa said, “Ban on crackers in Bengaluru is for this year alone, given COVID situation. Why can’t for one year we abstain ourselves from the use of crackers? Are we so hollow that our joy is dependent solely on crackers?
“There are many ways to celebrate Deepawali. Light diyas, meet people, exchange mithai…but no, adamant people only want crackers. How unreasonable!”
This led to Right-wing users seeking an explanation over speaking against “Hindu traditions”, and also questioned whether she would raise her voice against the customs of other religions.
According to a source close to the IPS officer, “Such pseudo-intellectuals who spread lies and hate in the name of knowledge and create communal tensions should be banned.”
The source said Roopa’s whole idea was to only “engage in discussions in a democratic manner with the good intention to understand what stops them from following government orders”.
“Many of the handles who trolled did not have enough evidence to support their claims that bursting of crackers was mentioned in the scriptures and part of the system since ancient times,” the source added.
Senior Congressman Abhishek Manu Singhvi weighed in on the social media spat too, saying it did not “befit” IPS officers to argue with anonymous Twitter handles during “working hours”.
Doesn't befit IPS officers of the country to be arguing with anonymous Twitter Handles that too during working hours. Make a point, let it go, you aren't winning anything by arguing on SM!
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) November 18, 2020
Also read: 71% Indians consciously did not buy Chinese products this festive season, survey finds
If India is to progress it should be run by sincere and honest officers who fear no pressure from corrupt and dishonest fellows sitting over them.Lets face it. If an officer points out dishonesty cheating and corruption she is shiifted out by chaps who stand to lose. This is the main reason (charachterlessness) India is in this level in the world today.
@Anon I don’t think she isn’t unaware but she had only tell it to be banned for one year because of covid..I think she is right we should not burn crackers that much because it also cause pollution ..it is also making hole in our ozone layer..if people say that their religion are important I will yes it is important but there is a limit to it..they don’t want million of live to be in danger just because of their religion..in few years we may not be able to able to breathe through polluted air ….
I wish you have same logic for other religions too
Hats off to Roopa sister
u are simply a true human being apart as an ips officer what these so called intellectual s think about crackers bursting on a deepavali or any other occasions in this universe not only humans live but animals also exists How much these are suffering not due to their faults & also senior citizens .sick people are all disturbed why bring religion on this isssu likee other use loud speakers citting trees etc But every body should not disturb others feelings &privacy All religions should keep their religions inside their homes or place of worship
Let wisdom prevails on all humans&dont blame Roopa for our attitude towards life
I wish once in a year you approach a Psychiatrist, I Will pay.
you done an excellent job ropa IPS
Salute to Roopaji. Not only activity connected to Diwali but any activity that can cause air, water ,land and sound pollution should be curbed irrespective of religion.
Cheap publicity stunt unnecessarily dragging police service into unsavory controversy. Kangana must be a friend of munish moudgil ias roopa s husband from punjab Himachal…. ??? lol.. Publicity stunt for TRP s… Aam aadmi jantha pls don’t waste your precious time trolling these publicity hungry bureaucrats nexus wid bollywood.. Jai hind
Well done Roopa. We salute your courage to stand up to fascist bullying.
Hindus harassed Muslims over Covid. In Coimbatore for example, the police penned Muslims down in their localities. The Muslims accepted. When Id came, the Hindu merchants wanted sales, so the police told Muslims they could go out and shop. The Muslims declined fearing they would be blamed again,. In contrast, there were no curbs on Hindus, they felt entitled to roam around, as they were under the impression only Muslims carried it. In the end Covid spread more in the Hindus than the Muslims !
What Roopa is finding is that the militant Hindutva mentality has taken root, it cannot be changed Hindus will be self destructive, they have pumped up with this false pride. That explains the difference in reaction : the Muslims accepted not to celebrate Id outside, but the Hindus do not accept her plea for a cracker ban for 1 year, due to Covid. The Hindus have been made to feel no law can touch them. They turn it into a rage about a ‘curb on our religion’. The other religions are willing to accept a curb if explained nicely, but Hindus are not willing. This self destructive and anti-social behaviour in Hindus has been the work of the BJP.
Is this for real?
Please check your dna,
Have you ever been to Nimhans Bangalore, ? If not visit Vellore once.
Who are these geniuses who think that crackers existed during Ramayana times. Did they think Standard Crackers was running their business from 2nd century BC?
These guys are unguided missiles and they will bulldoze any person who talks sense.
This Rohini swami must be either blind or supremely stupid. The details were given by that user. For a moment let’s ignore the validity of the he sources quoted. Will she get the account suspended if someone disagrees with her on something.The twitter, as claimed, provided no reason or explanation for their action. What if tommorow your editor in chiefs account gets suspended if he argues with some bureaucrat online. Will you people report in the same way.
Shameless hypocrites going to town claiming to be honest and impartial journalists. BS.
When internet,tv etc were there in our ancient land, crackers must have been there and were used during Diwali. She is evidently unaware.