Hong Kong police quoted passive resistance leader Mahatma Gandhi in a tweet calling for non-violence, the irony of which was not lost on netizens who pointed out that the activist had fought for it. independence of India.
In a tweet posted on Saturday, police shared a quote from the leader – who guided India to independence after some 200 years of British rule – that non-violence is the “greatest force available to the nation. ‘humanity’, and statistics showing the rise in violence. crime in Hong Kong over the past year.
#MahatmaGandhi—Apostle of peace + inspiration for @UN‘s #IntlDayOfNonViolence-said once, ‘#Nonviolence is one of the strongest weapons. ” Given a 3.2% year-on-year rate of violent crime in 1H2021, let’s #violence a thing of the past in every corner of 🌍#ViolenceEngendreViolence#SayNoToViolence pic.twitter.com/teNMRVYvix
– Hong Kong Police (@hkpoliceforce) October 2, 2021
“Taking into account 3.2% year-on-year [increase] in violent crime in Hong Kong in [the first half of 2021], let’s make #violence a thing of the past in every corner of [the world]”, We read in the tweet filled with emojis.
Calling for independence in Hong Kong can result in a life sentence under the National Security Act, which criminalizes acts considered secession.
“Free Hong Kong, revolution of our time”, a popular protest slogan chanted during the anti-extradition movement in 2019, is now considered illegal. The government said last year that the term had connotations with Hong Kong independence.
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On Twitter, Internet users were quick to laugh at the police tweet.
Gandhi was fighting for * checks notes * an independent Indian nation https://t.co/cNLDtn9E0z
– Goofrider (@goofrider) October 2, 2021
“Tell me that you know very little about Mahatma Gandhi without telling me that you know very little about Mahatma Gandhi”, a person wrote.
Others responded with images of police firing pepper spray at protesters from close range and hitting protesters with batons.
