The insanely popular Instant Messaging application WhatsApp is in news for having the ‘middle finger’ emoji in its wide range of emoji collection. Gurmeet Singh, an advocate from Delhi, has sent a legal notice to WhatsApp demanding the removal of this emoji.
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Gurmeet, a lawyer working in city courts in Delhi, stated that “Showing of the middle finger is not only offensive but a highly belligerent, invasive, obscene, lewd gesture.” It’s presence in the Facebook-owned application WhatsApp suggests that the WhatsApp authorities are okay with the usage of such a lewd and offensive gesture. Gurmeet said in his notice that “by offering to use middle finger emoji in your app, you (WhatsApp Inc) are directly abetting the use of [the middle finger]”.
Gurmeet also stated that “As per the Indian Penal Code Sections 354 and 509, it is an offense to show obscene, lewd, offensive gestures to women. Use of a lewd, offensive, obscene gesture by anyone is hereby illegal also as aforesaid.” The advocate has given a 15 days’ notice to remove the emoji after which he will file a civil or criminal case for it.
