Ministry of Information Technology sent to Twitter to reactivate block accounts, warns of strict action

Twitter recently blocked 250 accounts for running controversial hashtags. Twitter took this decision following an order from the Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology, but only a few hours later all these accounts became active again. Through these accounts, the hashtag massacre of farmers was being carried out in protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Now the government has issued a notice to Twitter to make these accounts active again. The government has said that if Twitter does not listen to the government, strict action will be taken.

The Modi government has asked Twitter a question as to why it reactivated these accounts in defiance of the government order. Twitter is accused of violating Section 69 (a) of the Information Technology Act. If Twitter is found guilty in this case, he could also be sentenced to seven years of imprisonment.

In the notice, the government said that it is a motorized campaign, which was run without any basis to create tension in the society. Promoting genocide is not the freedom of speech. This is a threat to law and order. The notice also cited the Supreme Court’s decision and stated that Twitter cannot take decisions like the court. Twitter should follow Indian law, although Twitter has not yet issued a statement on this notice.

Significantly, the electronics and IT ministry last week instructed Twitter to block about 250 Twitter accounts. The ministry said that these accounts were using the hashtag #ModiPlanningFarmerGenocide on January 30. Along with this, he was also throwing fake, intimidating and provocative tweets.

Twitter had blocked these accounts at the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs and law agencies to prevent law and order from deteriorating. Incitement to the massacre poses a serious threat to public order and hence the Ministry of Electronics and IT ordered the blocking of these Twitter accounts under Section 69 (a) of the Information Technology Act.

These handles, which were temporarily removed in India, also included the handle of the Kisan Ekta Morcha, which is associated with the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, a farmers’ organization, and among the leading organizations leading the protests of farmers running along Delhi’s borders Is one. Apart from this, some media outlets, social activists and politicians’ handles were also banned. It also took action on Twitter account of Caravan, Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar, activist Hansraj Meena, former Lok Sabha MP and CPI (M) leader Mohammad Salim. However, by the evening all these accounts were also restored.