Government sources said that Twitter had unilaterally unblocked accounts and tweets despite specific order for blocking; notice quotes SC judgments on what rights of authorities are
Activists shout slogans during a protest in support of the farmers’ agitation over the farm laws, at Mandi House in New Delhi, on Wednesday. Pic/PTI
Government has directed Twitter to comply with its order to remove contents/accounts related to farmer genocide hashtags, and warned that the microblogging platform may face “penal action” for non-compliance of its order, according to sources.
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Government sources said that Twitter had unilaterally unblocked accounts and tweets despite specific order for blocking. Twitter is an 'intermediary’ and is obliged to obey direction of government, sources said, adding that the platform may face penal action for not complying with government orders.
Government notice quoted more than half a dozen Supreme Court judgments including of constitutional benches as to what is public order and what the rights of authorities are. IT ministry sources asserted that Twitter cannot assume the role of court and justify non-compliance.
The Ministry of Electronics and IT had recently directed Twitter to block around 250 tweets/Twitter accounts that were making ‘fake, intimidatory and provocative tweets’ on January 30 with hashtags accusing the Modi government of planning farmers ‘genocide’ without any further substantiation.
Apex court refuses to entertain pleas for investigation
The Supreme Court referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that law will take its own course on the Republic Day violence and refused to entertain pleas for time-bound probe by an apex court-appointed panel, saying it doesn’t want to “interfere at this stage”.
Mahapanchayat stage collapses in Haryana
BKU leader Rakesh Tikait and other farmer union leaders at the Kisan Mahapanchayat in a village in Haryana’s Jind district on Wednesday had a narrow escape as the stage collapsed with leaders on it. A video of farmers’ leaders falling as the stage caved in surfaced. The ‘mahapanchayat’, the first in the state, was organised at Kandela village sports stadium. It was organised by Haryana khap leaders to discuss the future of the ongoing farmers’ protests.
No informal talks happening: Tomar
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said the Centre is not holding any informal talks with protesting farmers and described putting up of more barricades and suspending internet in and around agitation sites as law and order issues related to local administrations. The last round of meeting between the government and 41 protesting unions was inconclusive. The Centre had asked the unions to reconsider the govt’s proposal to suspend farm laws for 18 months.
‘India’s reputation has taken a massive hit’
Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader
Absolutely the reputation of India has taken a massive hit. Not only on how we are treating our farmers, but on how we treat our people, how we treat journalists. Our biggest strength, you can call it soft power, has been shattered by the BJP-RSS, their mindset’
Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi chief minister
‘We are releasing a list of 115 protesters who were arrested by the police in relation to the Republic Day incident and are in different jails in the city. Our government will make every effort to trace the protesters who are missing’
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