US blogger Roosh Valizadeh, who is organising the meetings, listed the Powai D-Mart as the meet-up spot, from where participants will be taken to the final meeting spot. (Representational Image - iStock)
Mumbai Police's Twitter account was abuzz with messages from citizens alerting the cops about a secret meeting of an international community that allegedly seeks to make rape legal. The tweets included links to a US blog that mentioned 165 'secret' meeting spots across the world - one in Mumbai - where participants will gather on Saturday.
In fact, Mumbai is the only Indian city in the list, and the US blogger Roosh Valizadeh, who is organising the meetings, listed the Powai D-Mart as the meet-up spot, from where participants will be taken to the final meeting spot.
Several citizens retweeted and shared a post by a Jordan Rose (@maliagif) who had tweeted: "It's 2016 and a US 'make rape legal' group is planning a worldwide anti-woman event in 43 countries."
COP SPEAKAs complaints trickled into the Mumbai Police's Twitter account, the force responded to each of the posts and said they would look into it. Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Deven Bharti said, "We have taken note of it and will examine it. We will keep a watch on the meet in Powai, if any."
Sources from the Mumbai police said they suspect it could be a prank, but they will keep an eye out for any suspicious activity at the mentioned time and place.
The tweets shared links to the blog titled 'Return Of Kings', which claims to be a platform for 'heterosexual, masculine men'. A Jan 19 post on the blog read: 'We will have 165 meetings in 43 countries for our international meetup day on Feb 6, 2016 at 8 pm local time.'
The blog continues: 'To identify your fellow tribesmen, ask the following question to a man you suspect is there for the meetup: 'Do you know where I can find a pet shop?' If you are asked this question, answer in the affirmative: 'Yes, it's right here.' You can then introduce yourself and get details about where to proceed at 8:20. If you ask someone for the pet shop and they appear confused or actually try to direct you to a real pet shop, they're not there for the meetup.'
TWEET TO MUMBAI POLICE@MumbaiPolice A 'Make Rape Legal' group is planning meetups in 43 countries, this Saturday. Bombay is on the list.
Rachna @confidentlylame
FROM THE BLOGThe Return Of Kings website says, "ROK aims to usher the return of the masculine man in a world where masculinity is being increasingly punished and shamed in favour of creating an androgynous and politically-correct society that allows women to assert superiority and control over men. Sadly, yesterday's masculinity is today's misogyny."