Bal Thackeray Facebook post: I don't regret what I wrote, says Palghar girl

Mumbai: The girl behind the Facebook post on Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray finally spoke up for herself on Friday, saying that she did not regret what she wrote but added that what followed afterwards should not have happened. She was joined by her father who said that the family received immense support from the media and were thankful to it. "We say we are free, but in many ways, we are still not," he added in a matter-of-fact manner.

The girl and her friend were arrested by the Mumbai police after a complaint was filed against them by an alleged Shiv Sena member over the Facebook post in which the girl had denounced the Mumbai shutdown over Bal Thackeray's death. Her friend had merely 'liked' the status.

The girls were arrested on charges of hurting religious sentiments. A mob of goons later vandalised the hospital owned by the uncle of the author of the Facebook post. Much criticism followed, by the people, the media and politicians alike. The girls were released, and nine men arrested for the attack on the clinic.

The girl\'s father added that Indians may say they are free, \'but in many ways, we are still not\'.

The Maharashtra government is now likely to take action against the police officers who were responsible for the arrests of the girls after an inquiry led by Inspector General of the Konkan Police on Friday concluded that the police action was unjustified. The report recommended action against the police officers involved.

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