Bal Thackeray Facebook post: Social networks erupt over girls' arrest
added that it would be a bigger challenge for the prosecution to prove that the statement could incite communal disharmony and violence.
"This should not be seen merely as "social media regulation", but as a restriction on freedom of speech and expression by both the law and the police," Centre for Internet and Society Policy Director Pranesh Prakash said.
The two girls -- Shaheen Dhada and Renu Shrinivas -- were sent to 14-day judicial custody by a court before which they were produced today but were granted bail within hours after they furnished personal bonds.
There was also an attack on the clinic of an uncle of one of them by Sena activists.
The arrests also sparked an outrage with Press Council of India chief Markandey Katju today demanding "immediate" action against police personnel involved.
While Dhada was arrested for the post, Dhada's friend Renu was arrested for 'liking' the post.
"Police arrested both of them under section 505(2) (statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes). Today, they were granted bail," their advocate Sudhir Gupta said.
The duo was arrested following a police complaint lodged by a local Sena leader.
After the comment was posted, a mob of nearly 40 Shiv Sainiks allegedly barged into Dhada's uncles's orthopaedic hospital at Palghar and vandalised the place yesterday.
However, no arrests were made in connection with the attack.
Some other tweets in support of the girls read: "Hatred of minorities, liberals is an epidemic on Twitter. Law shd be harsh on hatespeak not on democratic rights of 21 year
