FIR after women activists trolled over lineage bill

SHILLONG: Social activists Agnes Kharshiing and Angela Rangad were trolled over their criticism of the Khasi Lineage Bill, which denied women ST status if their spouses are non-Khasis.
Kharshiing, in her FIR lodged with the police, alleged that on Friday between 9 am and 10 am, consequent upon the Bill passed by KHADC to amend the Khasi Social Custom of Lineage, she was trolled on the Facebook and the trollers in the group known as ‘Hynniewtrep’ targeted her and Angela with false and unfounded allegations with the sole motive to defame her and promote enmity among different groups.
The FIR said the posts also accused her that some non-tribals having Khasi spouses gave her money at Pinewood Hotel to oppose the amended Bill.
The CSWO president in the FIR denied such allegations. “I never went to Pinewood Hotel for any deal. I am giving voluntary service by moving the High Court on several issues,” she said in the complaint.
She asked the police to take up with Facebook to know the identity of the persons behind the posts.
Kharshiing said in her FIR that she opposed the Bill since it was found to be highly discriminatory towards the Khasi women and promoting gender inequality and bias.
“The amendment is in direct conflict with Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India and is ultra wires,” she said.
The bill, according to the FIR, was an attempt by male-dominated members to jeopardise the right of women and it amounts to treating women as slaves.
“Choosing a life partner is within the fundamental right within the meaning of Article 121 of the Constitution,” she said.
Referring to the trolls against her on Facebook, Kharshiing said the intention was to suppress her views against the anti-women bill.
She urged the police to make a proper inquiry and register the case against the culprits involved.