Fake auction targets Muslim women

POLICE in India are investigating how dozens of Muslim women were offered for sale in fake “auctions” online without their knowledge.

Photos of more than 80 women were reportedly uploaded in recent weeks to GitHub, an open software development platform, under the title “Sulli deal of the day”. “Sulli” is a derogatory slang for Muslim women.

Hana Mohsin Khan, an airline pilot, was alerted last week by a friend who directed her to a link that led to a gallery of images of women. “The fourth picture was mine. They were literally auctioning me as their slave for the day,” Khan said. “It sends chills down my spine. From that day till today, I am just in a constant state of anger,” she said.

GitHub said it has now suspended the users’ accounts, saying they violated its policies on harassment, discrimination and inciting violence.

Delhi police have filed charges – but against unknown persons because they do not know the identity of the perpetrators. Online harassment of women and girls – including threats of violence, rape and manipulated pornographic images – is a huge problem, not just in India.

In India, Muslim women are a particular target, said Sania Ahmad, 34, who works for an Indian media company. “It starts with petty abuse and grows into death and rape threats,” she said.

The victims in the latest case included researchers, analysts, artists and journalists, the National Commission for Women said.