– Osman Goni Emon
The 21st February: Derogation of Language through the Online Public Bullying
Language is the visibility of human expression for communication with each other. The application of language varies according to the variation of spatial environment and practical needs. There is no practice of standard language in offices, courts, educational institutions, radio-television, plays, or movies. The question has begun to arise whether this state of language use is the result of a natural change in language or a kind of misshaping! On 21st February, our love of language suddenly awakens as we talk about spelling mistakes like “Banglish words”. Although Bangla Academy has done a lot of work on spelling simplification, it is not widely disseminated to the general public and not easily understood. There seems to be a kind of disarray in all aspects of language use. How much of this is a natural change in language; it is high time to think about how much misshaping is imposed. In 1948-1952 (Bhasha Andolon)- “Bangladesh Language Movement” was held to demand the establishment of the Bengali language at all levels. In its continuation, the day has been recognized as ‘International Mother Language Day’. According to Article 3 – ‘The Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh”, the state language of Bangladesh is Bengali. But even today we have not been able to establish the Bangla language in all spheres of our daily life.
Currently, it is seen that most of the public figures, children, teenagers, and the general public of Bangladesh are victims of online-based public bullying. Where offensive foul language-based comments are being used. Definition: Cyberbullying or online public bullying is a type of cybercrime from a legal perspective. At present this crime is spreading widely day by day. In the general insight of bullying, we mean the exchange of hectic words between two people or insulting someone. Similarly, insulting someone through the internet or social media or degrading someone by making defamatory comments is called cyberbullying. Likewise, presenting someone’s picture or video image in a malformed and defamatory manner is also called cyberbullying. As this crime has become widespread in the present time, criminologists are looking at the issue very seriously and have implied reasonable actions and strict laws. “The significant thing that children are experiencing – is seeing the use of rude or obscene language. And it’s hurting them.”
According to the survey, the rate of cyberbullying is 51 percent of the total population of the world using social media platforms. Here, 60 percent of them are victims of cyberbullying or harassment in different ways. The survey was conducted by the telecommunication company Telenor in several Asian countries including Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Singapore, and Thailand. The respondents of this survey ranged in age from 18 to 64. But to what extent are the younger children in their families being cyberbullied?
Whereas, according to a 2019 survey by UNICEF, 38 percent of people in Bangladesh between the ages of 10 and 13 have conceded to cyberbullying. Here, 36 percent are between 14 and 15 years old and 25 percent are 16 to 17 years old. In Dhaka, 70 percent of women admitted to cyberbullying are between 15-25 years of age. According to a 2017 BBC report on several Asian countries, cyberbullying or online public bullying is increasing alarmingly. In terms, the majority of victims of cyberbullying are women and minors. However, men are also widely subjected to cyberbullying or harassment because of their gender, physical structure, religion, profession, etc.
Again, 85 percent of the country’s youth considered online bullying to be a serious problem. This information was revealed in a survey jointly conducted by Grameenphone and Telenor Group and Plan International regarding the impact of internet use and online bullying. Moreover, 29 percent of young people who took part in a survey said that they were victims of bullying even before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, 18 percent of young people said they have undergone more online bullying since the pandemic began. A total of 3,930 youth participated in the survey, 16 percent of them were Bangladeshi youth. The survey also found that 8 percent of the country’s youth were victims of online bullying at least one or more times a week through social media, messaging apps, and online gaming and video game streaming platforms—these are the 3 mediums where young people are typically the most victims of online harassment. In addition, participants were interested in preventing online bullying 40 percent in messaging apps and 37 percent in gaming and streaming video games. And 41 percent said abusive, racist, and sexist comments children had been exposed to online platforms.
In recent times, the issue of cyberbullying in Bangladesh has become widely known due to the occurrences of a few actors being harassed through social media. such as
Here, Bangladeshi popular Actor, Chanchal Chowdhury posted a picture with his mother on Mother’s Day. And in this film, some depraved people keep commenting on Chanchal Chowdhury’s religion via the Facebook Comments boxes. Which seriously spoils this actor rigorously.
Again, Online Entertainer Actor Hero Alam has been subjected to cyberbullying at almost every step in the online world including social media. Some depraved people are constantly making ugly, defamatory, and depressing comments about his actions, appearance, and speech. Which is frustrating for every person who is an actor.
Moreover, Many women entrepreneurs have established themselves and are standing their businesses with their talent and hard work via online platforms. Which is undoubtedly an upright decision for herself. But these women activists are subjected to cyberbullying or online public bullying through derogatory language with the use of vernacular words every day by some depraved people with lewd and mean comments. Which is in no way acceptable in a healthy society and is grossly unjust and punishable.
Also, after filing a case, social media users often make nasty and venomous comments about the public figure. Where on the news made by the media before the proper data? Which is not acceptable in any way. Complaints can be filed against any person in the police station or court. In that case, he is accused. Not guilty. But it is also unjust and punishable to establish him as a criminal in society and to comment on him before he is convicted based on all the evidence in the learned court. In this case, the media is also predominantly accountable.
However, Remedies for Cyberbullying: There is an opportunity to get remedies for cyberbullying or public bullying under the Digital Security Act, of 2018. If someone indulges in cyberbullying through social media or any other online media platforms, then he can directly file a case against the accused by appearing at the police station or in a learned cyber tribunal. Currently, cyber tribunals have been set up in every divisional city to facilitate prosecutions of crimes. Which earlier was only in Dhaka Judge Court for the whole of Bangladesh. The sections of the said Act are pertained to below.
According to Section-28, if any person or group deliberately or knowingly publishes or disseminates on the website or any other electronic medium anything that offends religious sentiments or religious values to incite hurting religious sentiments or sentiments, that person shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding 05 years or with a fine of 10 (ten) lakh Taka or with both.
Similarly, Section-29 expressed that, if a person publishes or disseminates defamatory information on a website or any other electronic format, then he shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding 3 (three) years or a fine not exceeding 10 (ten) lakhs Taka or both.
In section-31 enunciated the terms, if any person willfully publishes or broadcasts on the website or in digital format anything which creates enmity, hatred, or enmity between the various classes or communities concerned or destroys communal harmony or creates unrest or disorder leading to the deterioration of law and order or If committed, the said person shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding 07 (seven) years or fine not exceeding 05 (five) lakhs Taka or both.
Consequently, The High Court has two clear instructions to prevent distortion and breakdown of the Bengali language. If the High Court order of Bengali language is implemented at all levels given in 2012 and 2014, maybe some relief from language breakdown and warping can be achieved. Which we all want in the month of the language movement.
In the case of Shibani Barik v. The State of Odisha (2020), the Court commemorated that cyberbullying or online base public bullying was on the rise through Tik Tok and Social media platforms, it accentuated the significance of stringent regulation to protect youngsters and children from being bullied from the online media. The above-quoted finding perfectly recapitulates the shortcomings in the current legislative framework.
According to the above review, in keeping with the current trend of digitalization in the country, it is very important to keep sight of this trouble and create awareness. They need to better apprehend ways and means of protecting themselves. Here, online is also becoming more apparent. Particularly to build up awareness, training about online bullying, and building digital resilience; All stakeholders need to work on these issues. It should not be left to the educational institutions alone, but parents and all concerned need to be involved.’
Therefore, We need to equip the future generation with digital skills and let them use the internet. That’s why we need to take a stronger collaborative attitude and commitment to keep them safe online by using different Social media . The survey results show that this is an in-depth problem and we all need to do more collectively to solve this problem. It is very promising that the Bangladesh government has taken a timely step to include this subject in the national curriculum to raise awareness.
About the Authors:
Osman Goni Emon Studying for at Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree from the Daffodil International University and a Diploma Bar-At-Law degree from Under the University of London with the distinction of summa cum laude in 2021-23, now continuously. His research interests lie in legal philosophy and Forensic Medicine of Law, Refugee Law. He is a published author and columnist & Researcher. Emon acquired substantial research experience from working as a research assistant at one of the top law associations in South Asia & whole around the world. He also worked as a research assistant for highly reputed academics and is a Debater & Youth Leader in different youth organizations. He provided research assistance in cases pending before the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. Emon has been continuing Research on the different aspects and He is a Founder and General Secretary of, the Center For Development of Legal Services & Policy Standards (CDLSP).