Police have arrested suspects, including Usman Mirza, after a video of them mercilessly assaulting and torturing a young couple became viral on the internet.
According to the details, Usman Mirza along with his licentious friends was seen harassing, torturing and sexually abusing a young couple in an apartment that went viral on Pakistani social media. Immediate action was taken against the accused as they were arrested under Section 354-A, Section 506, Section 341 and Section 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
However, people on social media across Pakistan are expressing concern over the incident and sympathy for the victims, and demanding strict action against the culprits. This incident quickly became the top trend with netizens calling for severe punishment for Usman Mirza. The video sparked anger across Pakistani social media, with #UsmanMirza and #ArrestUsmanMirza appearing on the top trends.
Usman Mirza Assaulting A Young Couple, What Actually Happened? Video Viral
The whole Usman Mirza incident is so disturbing, we've predators roaming freely among us while authorities continue to sleep until the civil society highlights the issue and force authorities to arrest them. Yet people question why women feel unsafe here? #ArrestUsamnMirza
— Ayesha Rehmat (@ayesha79994301) July 6, 2021
Social activist Ammar Ali Jan said, “From top to bottom, our society is run by petty tyrants… Unfortunately, women face the brunt of our system’s brutality. Change must begin now.”
From top to bottom, our society is run by petty tyrants. Monsters like Usman Mirza are product of a culture in which they know they can commit horrific violence with impunity. Unfortunately, women face the brunt of our system's brutality.
Change must begin now. #ArrestUsmanMirza https://t.co/uEGTJB0RkA
— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) July 6, 2021
Broadcast Journalist Najia Ashar said that just arresting the culprit was not enough. “Make an example out of this monster,” she wrote.
Only arrest is not enough! Make an example out of this monster. #ArrestUsmanMirza https://t.co/LvFBzw1ZWk
— Najia Ashar (@najiaashar) July 6, 2021
While the incident is being condemned on social media, questions are also being raised about revealing the identity of the victim girl and boy.
Couple Sexually Assaulted, Video Leaked: Who is Usman Mirza?
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Member National Assembly (MNA) Naz Baloch has said that the only solution to violence against women is immediate justice. “Plz do not share the video & picture of the victims!”, she added.
Instant justice and speedy trial of heinous offence is the only solution to root out violence against women. #ArrestUsmanMirza & all those who shamelessly witnessed the crime.
Plz do not share the video & picture of the victims!— Naz Baloch (@NazBaloch_) July 6, 2021
Journalist and anchor Aniqa Nisar said that questions should be raised on the perpetrators of the crime, not the victims.
Repeat after me:
BLAME THE OFFENDER, NOT THE VICTIM!#HangUsmanMirza #HangRapists #HangRapistPublicly
— Aniqa Nisar (@AniqaNisar) July 6, 2021
Another Twitter user Ibrahim Qazi says the suspects in the video reflect a “Badmashi” culture in Pakistan. This culture is very old in Pakistan and is reported on social media and the authorities act due to public pressure. “Many heinous incidents go unreported therefore there is a gross need for reforms to invoke rule of law against badmashi,” he added.
https://twitter.com/miqazi/status/1412511449994477575
Following the arrest of the accused, some people on social media are also arguing that despite such incidents, women are criticized when they stand up for their rights.
PM Imran Khan takes notice of Usman Mirza Video Scandal
“Ofcourse, all men don’t do what he did but the cultural cover provided to ALL men at the expense of ALL women allow people like him the confidence to do this & film it,” says Maria Amir.
If you’re outraged at #UsmanMirza then please, at the very least, don’t #NotAllMen this.
Ofcourse, all men don’t do what he did but the cultural cover provided to ALL men at the expense of ALL women allow people like him the confidence to do this & film it.— Maria Amir (@Beentherella) July 6, 2021
Singer Ali Gul Pir says, “U blame women for being raped cuz of their clothes, reject bills that will punish domestic abusers n now men go around raping girls n make videos of it. This 1 is in our capital city. A few kilometres from ur home Mr President @ImranKhanPTI its time for a change.”
U blame women for being raped cuz of their clothes, reject bills that will punish domestic abusers n now men go around raping girls n make videos of it. This 1 is in our capital city. A few kilometres from ur home Mr President @ImranKhanPTI its time for a change #ArrestUsmanMirza
— Ali Gul Pir (@Aligulpir) July 6, 2021
There were some users who were annoyed with the attitude of the police and were seen saying why is the police not fulfilling their responsibility on their own. Journalist Faizan Lakhani is also among them.
The videos of Usman Mirza are so disturbing. It boiled my blood to see the way he was harassing, humiliating and torturing that girl. Hope he rot in jail for rest of his life.
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) July 6, 2021
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA, Maleeka Bokhari took notice of the incident, tweeting, “I have received numerous messages of women feeling unsafe & angry. The State is here to protect you & will not spare such barbarians.”
Update on #UsmanMirza case. @ICT_Police is undertaking prompt action with IG Islamabad leading the investigation of these heinous crimes. I have recieved numerous messages of women feeling unsafe & angry. The State is here to protect you & will not spare such barbarians.
— Maleeka Ali Bokhari (@MalBokhari) July 7, 2021
However, in the eyes of most social media users, arrest alone is not enough to prevent such incidents. Many people seem to be saying that the accused will be released in a few days and we will forget this story till the next rape incident.
The swift action by officials is increasingly becoming dependent on how much social media hypes an incident which is quite unfair for millions who do not get traction to their plights. System must work for victims in the darkness as much as it does in limelight.
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