The recent spurt in abusive posts on social networking sites, particularly targeting the Thackerays, has raised a question of whether there is a larger conspiracy to create a law and order situation in Mumbai through a “cyber war”. On Friday, several fake accounts created in the name of members of the Thackeray family surfaced on Facebook and Twitter. Abusive posts were sent out though these accounts. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has, in fact, lodged a complaint with the cyber cell regarding these fake accounts in the name of Raj Thackeray and his family members. Further, in the town of Palghar there was another instance recorded of an anti-Thackeray post being sent out from a local journalist’s account. The matter came to light when the journalist himself registered a complaint stating that his account has been hacked.
“We are not looking at these incidents as individual cases but are examining whether it is a conspiracy to spread unrest. Our cyber cell experts will be investigating whether any particular group or people from some region are involved in setting up such fake accounts,” said deputy commissioner Ambadas Pote of crime branch.
The MNS also issued a statement on Friday evening stating that neither Mr Raj Thackeray nor any member of his family have a Facebook or Twitter account. “Some people are playing mischief through social networking sites. We appeal to people to not believe in any rumours spread through these social networking sites,” the statement read.
One of these Twitter accounts has been created in the name of Amit, son of Raj Thackeray. Interestingly, the photograph of Shiv Sena executive president Uddhav Thackeray’s son Aditya has been used on the account. Several abusive posts targeting Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, his followers and North Indians were posted from this handle on Friday.