#ApologizeToAuratMarch: Social media in uproar after manipulated video accuses organizers of blasphemy
Apologize To Aurat March: Social media in uproar after manipulated video accuses organizers of blasphemy.
This year’s Aurat March was struck with blasphemy accusations after a manipulated video started doing rounds on social media.
Social media is currently in an uproar and the organizers and supporters of the Aurat March Karachi are demanding an apology after a video clip from the March 8 demonstration started doing rounds on various social media platforms.
The video clip had been tempered that falsely show participants of the march raising blasphemous slogans.
In this regard, an official statement was shared by the march’s organizers to clarify the matter and shared both the original and doctored video clips.
According to the forum, the fake videos were shared by some journalists with massive Twitter followings and led to death threats for the organisers.
“The Aurat March faces severe backlash every year. Our videos and posters are targeted and manipulated, spreading misinformation and maligning the March. This year, one of our videos was doctored and heinous allegations are being placed on us,” the tweet said.
Here’s is the original slogan, here is our real voice 🗣
— Aurat March – عورت مارچ (@AuratMarchKHI) March 11, 2021
The Aurat March faces severe backlash every year. Our videos & posters are targeted & manipulated, spreading misinformation to malign the March.#AuratMarch2021#PatriarchykaPandemic#StopSpreadingFakeNews pic.twitter.com/piowxqMUEK
Female journalists and activists have shared their demands ‘Apologize To Aurat March‘ in a signed document after the recent episode of allegations on Aurat March.
Google Document available online that contains both the statement and signatures of over 260 journalists, activists, supporters.
The demands include:
- “A public apology and immediate retraction by all the journalists and media houses who have shared misinformation about the Aurat Marches and that this is put out on the social media accounts, newspapers, television shows, etc”
- “That individual journalists and media organisations desist from spreading false and malicious information endangering the lives of Aurat March organisers and participants.”
- “That media houses stop inviting individuals with a history of repeatedly and deliberately spreading disinformation on their platforms”
“These tweets with false information were shared by Ovais Mangalwala, Ansar Abbasi, and Orya Maqbool Jan,” stated the document.
Journalists, feminists & allies strongly condemn the false and malicious campaign against Aurat March organisers & participants; demand apology & retraction from those spreading disinformation. Share and sign:https://t.co/BmA0BSJLaq…#JhootBandKaro #StopLiesAgainstAuratMarch pic.twitter.com/JIYdDHkhfa
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) March 11, 2021
Whoever has maliciously or carelessly publicised the doctored video against the #AuratMarch2021 organisers have put LIVES at risk. There should be nothing less than an unqualified public apology. Doctoring a video is a punishable offence under the law. #jhootbandkaro https://t.co/cR4RgtIZ53
— Amber Rahim Shamsi (@AmberRShamsi) March 11, 2021
The hashtag #ApologizeToAuratMarch is the top trending topic on social media today. Several people have also taken to Twitter to condemn the doctored videos and demanding an inquiry into the incident along with an apology.
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Minister of Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry has asked for an inquiry against those who committed the ‘grave offense’ of editing a fake Aurat March video.
Those who edited the video have committed a grave offence FIA should proceed against those responsible a trail will help agencies to trace who originated the fake video…. https://t.co/KbNFSIBbWR
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 11, 2021
Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari also condemned the act. She called it a “purposeful campaign” that will “not deter this beautiful and necessary movement”.
Absolutely condemn the doctored videos of #AuratMarch done to incite hatred & endanger lives of more women. Know that it is a purposeful campaign & this pathetic, illegal (also criminal) intent to harm will not deter this beautiful & necessary movement #StopHateAgainstAuratMarch
— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) March 11, 2021
Meanwhile, female journalists and supporters are in an uproar demanding a ‘public apology’ over the doctorated video clip.
There was a false propaganda created by changing the subtitles and Aurat March was accused of blasphemy. It was “Mullah bhi dega azadi” “orya bhi dega azadi” and not “Allah bhi dega azadi” “ouliya bhi dega azadi”.#ApologizeToAuratMarch pic.twitter.com/gdmWpR9hms
— Shireen Asa’ad (@ShireenAijaz) March 11, 2021
A campaign of disinformation was launched against Aurat March and its organisers to silence them. We want accountability for journalists who shared disinformation without fact checking! #ApologizeToAuratMarch
— marha (@auratnama) March 11, 2021
It’s sick how small men with their negative minds R spreading fake news against Aurat march.When they find nothing they use religion 3 intimidate voices of https://t.co/bVFYw4Cm0x’s an age old trick 2 suppress women but it won’t work,there is no going back.#ApologizeToAuratMarch
— Munizae Jahangir (@MunizaeJahangir) March 11, 2021
Please watch this WDF explainer video dispelling the accusations that the French flag was being waved at Aurat March when the flag in question was the WDF flag. Watch and share! #apologizetoauratmarch pic.twitter.com/csvx4xsGgS
— Women Democratic Front ناری جمھوری محاذ (@wdf_pk) March 11, 2021
The malicious campaign against Aurat March and Aurat Azaadi March has caused irrepairable harm to individuals and the movement. We demand that all those part of this disinformation campaign #ApologizeToAuratMarch NOW!
— عورت مارچ لاہور – Aurat March Lahore (@AuratMarch) March 11, 2021
