Thread.
On March 23, Samir Kumar Mitra died in Kolkata after testing positive for coronavirus.
The death triggered a public backlash that left his son - stuck in the US - stunned.
Crowds fought police to stop the cremation.
Online, abuse poured in.
in.reuters.com/article/health…
On March 23, Samir Kumar Mitra died in Kolkata after testing positive for coronavirus.
The death triggered a public backlash that left his son - stuck in the US - stunned.
Crowds fought police to stop the cremation.
Online, abuse poured in.
in.reuters.com/article/health…
On Facebook and WhatsApp, rumours swirled.
They accused Samir of meeting with his son Satyaki and his daughter in law - who was alleged to be Italian, but is actually American - and bringing the deadly virus to Kolkata.
It was pure misinformation.
They accused Samir of meeting with his son Satyaki and his daughter in law - who was alleged to be Italian, but is actually American - and bringing the deadly virus to Kolkata.
It was pure misinformation.
An example of the online hate.
On Samir’s Facebook profile, a message posted below a photo of him and his family said: “It’s because of people like him that the coronavirus has come to us."
"They should be shot dead.”
On Samir’s Facebook profile, a message posted below a photo of him and his family said: “It’s because of people like him that the coronavirus has come to us."
"They should be shot dead.”
Satyaki said he hadn't returned to India since last July.
In separate interviews, Satyaki, and a colleague of Samir, denied the deceased had gone abroad.
The director of West Bengal’s health services said it was still unclear how Samir contracted the virus.
In separate interviews, Satyaki, and a colleague of Samir, denied the deceased had gone abroad.
The director of West Bengal’s health services said it was still unclear how Samir contracted the virus.
Following Samir’s death, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee instructed officials to ensure a safe & quick cremation.
But when the body was taken to a riverside crematorium, a crowd demanded the body be taken elsewhere, fearing Samir’s cremation would contaminate the area.
But when the body was taken to a riverside crematorium, a crowd demanded the body be taken elsewhere, fearing Samir’s cremation would contaminate the area.
Police finally called in reinforcements and baton-charged the crowd, before cremating Samir’s remains around midnight.
The backlash in Kolkata may not be an anomaly.
People suspected of carrying the virus have been harassed across India - including doctors.
The backlash in Kolkata may not be an anomaly.
People suspected of carrying the virus have been harassed across India - including doctors.
Satyaki said his mother and grandmothers took shelter at a hospital, too scared to return to their home.
“I can’t understand how people can be so hateful,” Satyaki said from the US, unable to return for his father’s last rites because of travel restrictions.
“I can’t understand how people can be so hateful,” Satyaki said from the US, unable to return for his father’s last rites because of travel restrictions.
On March 20, the Indian government issued an advisory to social media companies to clamp down on the circulation of false information and unverified data on the outbreak.
But massive amounts of fake news are still doing the rounds - potentially complicating the govt's response.
But massive amounts of fake news are still doing the rounds - potentially complicating the govt's response.
Samir's case underscores how vitriol and disinformation can fan paranoia, and even violence.
It could potentially get worse as India moves deeper into the 21-day lock-down.
Full story here: in.reuters.com/article/health…
#COVID2019india
It could potentially get worse as India moves deeper into the 21-day lock-down.
Full story here: in.reuters.com/article/health…
#COVID2019india
