The Downside of Social Networking

(Posted on 30/12/11)

The world relies on social networking. In the past decade, sites such as Facebook and Twitter have redefined society - both locally and internationally. Sometimes, though, it falls short and efforts of human nature simply get in the way.

What happens when a parent finds out about his son's murder through Facebook? It's most certainly not the way it should be - the bond between parent and child has no room for Facebook, Twitter or even another human being.

It's intimate and when it's broken, especially due to the hatred and murder, it is too much to bear. Yet, it's exactly what happened when Subhash Bidve learned about the murder of his son, Anuj.

Anuj Bidve, 23, was nearing his hotel in Ordsall, located in Salford, the morning after Christmas when he was shot in the head at point-blank range. Police have classified it as a hate crime. As if that weren't bad enough, Subhash Bidve, the victim's father, said he heard the news on Facebook. Now, a police chief has said she regrets that this father learned of his son's death in such an impersonal and insensitive manner. Mr. Bidve says his only goal at this point is to have his son's body returned to his home in India.

"Nobody official from the UK government or consulate or the Indian government called us and told us about this," Mr. Bidve told a reporter with BBC Radio 5 Live. "I am really surprised because they confiscated his phone and must have known his father's or mother's number. They could have called us and told us what had happened to him."

Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley agrees and confirms that Facebook delivered the news before her officers could. "That is not the way anyone should have to find out something so devastating and we completely understand how upset the family are," she said. Continuing, she told reporters, "Social networking is instantaneous and we have no control over when and what people post on such sites, but no one should hear such tragic news in this way."

Adding to this tragedy is the fact that four teenage boys have been arrested for the murder. A fourth suspect is 20. The 16 year old boy and two 17 year old boys have been released on bail, while the fourth teen and the 20 year old remain in jail. No word on who their solicitors in the UK are, but it is being treated as a hate crime.

In the meantime, police are offering a £50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder.

Mr. Bidve continues to plead with law enforcement in the UK to "speed up the process of returning his son's remains" to India. Indeed, his grieving process can't begin until he knows his son has returned home, though he says he's being told authorities "don't know when it can be done", though efforts are being made for the family to be flown into the UK as soon as possible.