Top 5 digital trends of the week

1. Quelling dissent?

The arrest of a woman shouting slogans at a minister in Tamil Nadu, India, and another of a former police officer critical of the central government raised the question once again: Is India suppressing free speech?

[Twitter] @SarkarSupriyo: Anyone who raises their voice against Modi’s fascist regime will be silenced before the next election. Today, it is Sanjiv Bhatt’s turn. Remember, when they will come for you, there will be no one left to speak for you.

2. #JustBurnIt

Sports brand Nike announced that it was signing on American Football star Colin Kaepernick as part of an ad campaign to celebrate 30 years of its slogan, “Just Do It”. Kaepernick has been in the line of fire ever since he started kneeling for the US national anthem at the start of games to protest violence against American blacks, and his selection for the campaign led to many people burning or destroying their Nike shoes and clothing.

[Twitter] @johnrich: Our sound man just cut the Nike swoosh off his socks. Former marine. Get ready @Nike multiply that by the millions.

3. Photo controversy

Pakistan’s newly-elected Prime Minister Imran Khan had his official portrait released last week and it was hotly debated online. Tweeps questioned why one of the most expensive photographers had been selected to take the official portrait. Some even questioned Khan’s austerity measures.

[Twitter] @AhsonIrfan: This is hilarious! I did this pro bono (free) as my very tiny little input for the Naya Pakistan he envisions! And may he succeed Insha Allah. And yes as my senior from Aitchison [College] he deserved special discount. Haters will hate!

4. Rhino

The picture of an injured white rhino calf lying next to the slaughtered body of his mum went viral after the mother was reportedly shot and killed by poachers for her “double horns”, in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.

[Twitter] @BiologistDan: These poachers weren’t satisfied with killing and dehorning this Rhino mom. They had to dart her baby trying to protect her lifeless body. Poachers and those who buy their products have no shame. We need to end #trophyhunting now.

5. Baby killed

A Delhi woman was arrested for killing her seven-month-old daughter whose death was earlier reported as accidental drowning in a bucket leading to outrage on social media.

[Twitter] @ShafiqueHasan: Disturbing story: In Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin, Delhi, a mother kills her seven-month-old daughter for ‘bringing bad luck to the family’, blaming her birth for the family’s medical and financial problems.