That’s right! An advocate from Delhi has slammed a legal notice on WhatsApp for introducing the middle finger emoji in India as it is an “illegal and obscene gesture”. 

According to a report by Indian Express, the lawyer wrote in his notice, “…showing the middle finger is not only offensive but a highly belligerent, invasive, obscene, lewd gesture”.

Apparently, showing middle finger is also against the law. Bet you didn’t know about that!

In the the said notice, he further mentioned, “As per the Indian Penal Code Sections 354 and 509, it is an offence to show obscene, lewd, offensive gestures to females. Use of a lewd, offensive, obscene gesture by anyone is hereby illegal also as aforesaid. As per section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 showing of the middle finger is also an offence in Ireland,” Singh stated in his notice.

“It is an offence to show obscene, lewd, offensive gestures to females.”

Well, as a woman I can say that this list is endless and the middle finger emoji certainly does not feature very high on it. 

Moving on, WhatsApp has 15 days to remove the emoji, failing which it can face a strict legal action. 

Looking forward to the time when Indians will stop taking offense to things that don’t matter!