I&B Ministry Ordered Blocking Of Apps, Website & Social Media Accounts Of SFJ Linked 'Punjab Politics TV'

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has ordered the blocking of apps, website, and social media accounts of foreign-based “Punjab Politics TV”, having close links with Sikhs For Justice.

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New Delhi: The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has ordered the blocking of apps, website, and social media accounts of foreign-based television channel “Punjab Politics TV”, having close links with Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). SFJ is an organization that has been declared unlawful under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. 

The I&B Ministry said in a statement that relying on intelligence inputs that the channel was attempting to use online media to disturb public order during the ongoing State Assembly Elections, the Ministry used emergency powers under the IT Rules, on February 18, to block the digital media resources of “Punjab Politics TV”.

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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India orders blocking of Apps, website, and social media accounts linked to banned organization Sikhs For Justice Ministry used emergency powers under IT Rules on 18th February to block the digital media resources of “Punjab Politics TV” Details: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1800212

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- PIB India (@PIB_India) 22 Feb 2022

According to the statement, the content of the blocked apps, website, and social media accounts had the potential to incite communal disharmony and separatism. Also the content was found to be detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, and public order. 

It was also observed that the launch of new apps and social media accounts was timed to gain traction during the ongoing elections, the statement said. 

The Ministry said in the statement that the Government of India remains vigilant and committed to secure the overall information environment in India and thwart any actions having the potential to undermine India’s sovereignty and integrity.

In January 2019, the government had issued orders to ban the pro-Khalistani SFJ under the UAPA. However, in 2020, a UAPA tribunal upheld the ban.

On February 18, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, assured the latter that Shah would "personally look into" allegations against the Aam Aadmi Party's alleged ties with pro-Khalistan outfit SFJ.

Earlier, Channi alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was in touch with the banned organisation, and wrote the same to Shah. 

The Chief Minister of Punjab had also asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order a probe into former AAP leader Kumar Vishwas' allegations that Arvind Kejriwal was supporting separatists during the campaign for the Punjab election.