The People's Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) has sought compensation for the two young women who were arrested for their Facebook comments against the Shiv Sena shutdown in Mumbai.   The PUDR flayed Mumbai police for taking into custody Shaheen Dhada, who questioned the crippling shutdown for Bal Thackeray's funeral Sunday, and Rini Srinivasan, who indicated that she agrees with her post.

"Ironically, the arrests prove the validity of the Facebook comment posted by Dhada," it said.

"The news media's uncritical representation of the Mumbai shutdown as a spontaneous one resulting from 'respect' is called into question by the severity of the police action against the two women," it added.

The PUDR demanded revocation of charges against Dhada and Srinivasan, criminal proceedings against officials involved in the arrests and compensation to the two women for harassment and trauma.