“What on earth is wrong with people? This is depraved."
TikTok star Faizal Siddiqui has been banned from the popular social media site for reportedly “glorifying” acid attacks in a video which went viral.
Faizal, who has over 13 million followers on TikTok shared a video of himself throwing a liquid substance on a girl’s face for betraying him.
Before throwing the liquid, Faizal can be heard saying:
“Tumhe usne chhorr diya jiske liye tumne mujhe chhorra tha.” [The guy you left me for has left you].
Later, the girl is seen with smeared makeup indicating a disfigured complexion.
According to TikTok, Faizal Siddiqui’s account “was banned due to multiple community guidelines violations.”
Referring to the incident, a spokesperson for TikTok said the social media site had “taken down content, suspended the account and are working with law enforcement agencies as appropriate.”
The spokesperson further added:
“Keeping people on TikTok safe is a top priority and we make it clear in our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines that clearly outlines what is not acceptable on our platform.
“As per the policy, we do not allow content that risks the safety of others, promoted physical harm or glorifies violence against women.
“The behaviour in question violates our guidelines and we have taken down content, suspended the account and are working with law enforcement agencies as appropriate.”
Acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal shared her disdain at Faizal Siddiqui for his video.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday 19 May 2020, she wrote:
“Thanks to National Commission for Women for taking cognizance of the viral video by TikTok ‘influencer’ Faizal Siddiqui promoting acid attack.
“Such videos/actions should be strictly debarred which are against the society.
“We are working day and night to stop the acid attacks violence against women. This cringe activity is not called influencing but promoting crime.
“Such persons are a curse to our society. So, it is important to ban such videos and accounts from social media.
“Come forward – we urge you to stop acid violence – Stop Sale Acid @ncwindia.”
Taking to Twitter, actress and filmmaker Pooja Bhatt condemned Faizal saying:
“What on earth is wrong with people? This is depraved. How can you allow this kind of content on your platform @TikTok_IN?
“This man needs to be taken to task. As for the woman in the video – do you realise what immense harm you are causing by participating in this?”
Actress Swara Bhasker also took to Twitter to vent her frustration. She said:
“Hey @TikTok_IN why and how are you allowing this kind of content – which is SO obviously celebrating and promoting aggression and violence against women and perpetrating false misogynistic stereotypes – to be published and viewed freely on your platform??? #Shame.”
Calling it an example of the “sick and diseased side of social media”, actor Ashish Chowdhry said:
“Pure example of the sick and diseased side of social media. @TikTok_IN must show sense by chopping off its tumour infected parts.”
“There’s a bunch of stupidly enthusiastic people doing just about anything on social media, who must be shown the door in order to keep a proper decorum.”
In reaction to the backlash, Faizal Siddiqui took to Instagram to explain the purpose behind the video and apologise. He wrote:
“My intention was never to hurt anyone in any Capacity. As a social media influencer, I realise my responsibility and apologise to anyone who was offended by the video @ncwindia.”
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