Outrage in India over arrests for Facebook post
NEW DELHI (AP) - Indian officials have arrested one young woman for a Facebook post criticizing the shutdown of Mumbai for the funeral of a powerful Hindu fundamentalist politician. Another young woman was arrested simply for hitting the "like" button next to the comment.
Analysts and the media Tuesday widely condemned the Maharashtra state government for what they said were attempts to curb freedom of expression.
Shops and transportation across Mumbai, India's financial capital, closed Sunday for the death of right-wing leader Bal Thackeray.
The arrests of the two women Sunday were seen as a move by police to prevent violence by Thackeray's supporters. Both women were released on bail Monday.
The women apologized, but angry supporters ransacked an orthopedic hospital run by the uncle of one of the women.