As Pakistan suffers through the onset of the Coronavirus disease and the citizens practice lockdown, any news of negligence in the country is drawing massive ire. And the latest to feel this anger from the crowds is the popular fashion designer, Maria Butt after news surfaced of her husband, Tahir Saeed being arrested.
In what started as a video being uploaded by Butt about her significant other being taken into custody and an FIR being cut on him, soon turned out to unravel into a bigger story, as it was reported that Saeed had let a COVID-19 positive patient, their cook, return to his hometown of Vehari from Lahore while being fully aware of his disease.
This drew massive aggression from Twitter, which is now teeming with life, as many took to the platform to criticise the designer and her husband.
B in #MariaB turns out to be for BULLSHIT.Breaking down on vid, knowing wt her other half do with a housekeeper.utter disregard for public safety,inhuman and outright criminal behavior towards masses and still making bail.these types r behind inviting All Mighty’s wrath #COVID19
— bilal saeed (@bilal85saeed) March 25, 2020
People were quick to note how this also opened up a discourse on the disparity between the ultra-rich and the poor.
So basically what #mariaB is saying that the police can’t treat the elite same as the poor? Does she expect the police to have a red carpet for her husband after they sent their cook to infect a thousand others on the way to Vihari? Truly, an act of sheer illiteracy.#MariaB 🖐️🖐️
— Hamza Tahir Bajwa (@hamzaizhere) March 25, 2020
While others came at them daggers drawn.
Always wondered what B in Maria B stood for. It's bay-hissee.
— Puffin Man (@junaidakram83) March 24, 2020
Twitter was also not letting go of the fact that the designer thought she wasn’t privileged.
the audacity she has to STILL say that shes not privileged despite sitting beside her husband who didn't had to spend a single night in jail just shocks and angers me #mariab a whole village is in danger because you chose to only care about your own home..zaleel log! https://t.co/Q9OMND5ulT
— pippity poppity give me the zoppity (@amnaaaww) March 25, 2020
After her second statement, many wanted strict action taken against her.
Please implement this in Pakistan to discourage more people like #MariaB.#COVID19Pakistan #PunjabCoronavirusUpdate https://t.co/9xxqbGzgH9
— Farjam (@farjam_mubarik) March 25, 2020
While others criticised the authorities for letting them go due to them being from an elite part of society.
Feel the difference of law between Elite Class & Lower class #MariaB #mariab Face with look of triumph pic.twitter.com/mVGYfVsjBI
— Hamza Malik (حمزہ ملک)🇵🇰 (@hamza_decent) March 25, 2020
Many also spoke about the designer’s negligence in not seeking treatment for the cook, which people believed she could have afforded.
#MariaB makes billions of rupees selling lawn, bridal suits & fragrances. Shame on her and other stingy designers of her ilk, who won’t pay a couple of thousand rupees to to get their domestic help treated in private hospitals and endanger others’ lives amid a health crisis.
— Zoya Nazir (@ZoyaNazir6) March 24, 2020
The ire then grew further, and people asked for Maria B products to be boycotted.
If you are a patriotic Pakistani,don't buy #MariaB products and boycott her.
— M.Sajjad (@MSajjad04550836) March 25, 2020
Including her lawn, which is one of her most sought after products.
Nobody will be there to buy your expensive lawn if all of us die of Corona. Shame! #MariaB
— MrLeo (@NaumanAhmad01) March 25, 2020
Tweeple, of course, as per its nature chose to go further in cracking jokes on her name.
I dont know who you are MARIA A or B , but i hope you get C. You have endangered thousand lives because of you non sense. #MariaB
— pukhtoon (@beingpukhtun) March 25, 2020
They didn’t feel it was alright for her to play the ‘victim card’, either.
Why Maria B is playing a victim card? She should pay for tests of all the people's with whom her servant met. Most importantly if anyone's test comes positive due to their actions then how law will dealt with such influential elites? #MariaB
— T E N S I O N 💢 (@kaKaFasade) March 25, 2020
The news also drew attention from activists, who claimed that this was criminal negligence.
A whole village has to be put on quarantine, a whole village is now at the risk of corona infections because one super rich employee #MariaB & her husband showed criminal negligence, utter lack of responsibility & arrogance.https://t.co/t01yG9vtNx
— Gulalai_Ismail (@Gulalai_Ismail) March 24, 2020
While others were just not getting over the fact that the husband was given bail due to them being from the elite class.
Husband already released on bail, phir elite to elite hai na justice gaya tail lene 😊#MariaB pic.twitter.com/TGGeKRknL2
— Turkish Boi (@being_turk) March 25, 2020
Others, albeit in a sarcastic manner, questioned the disparities.
Why No-one is asking for this punishment for her husband? 😕😒😞#DoJustice#MariaB https://t.co/Jj83m42s3s pic.twitter.com/slh6rvChTF
— BATMAN (@Its_Mbxr) March 25, 2020
Others, of course, weren’t letting go of the HUGE chandelier hanging in Maria B’s house.
I'm so sorry you'd to be so sad under that chandelier #MariaB
— Gul Zehra Rizvi (@GulZehraRizvi1) March 25, 2020
Plus, what’s Twitter without some self-reflection, right?
Don’t know what the exact truth of this whole #MariaB episode is, but the twitter response tells you this much: rich people hate rich people. The end.
— Mehreen Zahra-Malik (@mehreenzahra) March 24, 2020
In the end, people just couldn’t deal with how it all went down, and what was yet to come.
#MariaB be like “yeah we got f**** up by Punjab Police and my husband had to spend time in jail but yeah don’t forget to CHECK OUT MY SUMMER COLLECTION I mean if you’re here watching my video then make some donation in the form of spending on my clothing line.” 😂👌 #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/rX72ZsX8r5
— Think Out Loud With Saboor (@thinkloudsaboor) March 25, 2020
Tweeple were also quick to share the response of the authorities after Maria B. and Tahir Saeed released their post-bail statement.
#MariaB#COVID19Pakistan
Salute to punjab police
Listen pic.twitter.com/eQHVWUQuOw— Twin Stars (@TwinStar321) March 24, 2020
What do you think about the whole situation? Tell us in the comment section below.
All the people should completely BOYCOTT Maria bullshit products.
Disgusting individuals, they can make excuses, i think its clear that they were selfish.
Im not supporting the maria b brand any longer.
I like ethical caring honest brands.
I suggest everyone should do the same.
What do these ‘elite class’ people think that by speaking English they can get away with it. Like corona virus this elite culture also needs to be eliminated for a better, healthy Pakistan.
#BanMariaB … this will be enough punishment for these so called “elite” who think they are above the law and can get away with anything!
I am boycotting Maria B. Products forever and I got money to burn. Such a horrible person, hadh hai!