Ravi Shankar Prasad Calls Out 'Double Standard' Of Twitter In Rajya Sabha, Compares Response To Capitol Hill Riot & Red Fort Chaos

"There is freedom of speech but Article 19A says that this is subject to reasonable restrictions," the Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology told in the Rajya Sabha. Read on.

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New Delhi: Indian government on Thursday warned social media platforms against posts inciting violence, as Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that action will be taken if Indian laws were flouted. 

"There is freedom of speech but Article 19A says that this is subject to reasonable restrictions," the Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology told in the Rajya Sabha while drawing a comparison between response to Capitol Hill riot and Red Fort chaos. 

"Why is it so? when there is ransacking at Washington's Capitol Hill and police have to act, few microblogging companies stand with them. But when there is an attack at the Red Fort which is the symbol of India's pride, they stand against them? This double standard cannot be continued," he had said.

"We respect social media a lot, it has empowered common people. Social media has a big role in the Digital India programme. However, if social media are misused to spread fake news and violence, then action will be taken on the misuse of social media in India whether Twitter or else," Prasad added.

The Union Minister emphasised that all social media platforms will have to adhere to the constitution of India as it allows criticism of the government and the Prime Minister, but spreading fake news will not be allowed.

Prasad said, "We have flagged certain issues to Twitter and social media has to take into consideration the Indian Laws if they want to do business in the country. Different parameters can't be allowed for different countries. It can't be different for the Capitol Hill incident and some other parameters and for the Red Fort incident".

A face-off between the Indian government and Twitter ensued when according to reports citing sources, the Indian government directed Twitter to comply with its order to remove content and accounts related to farmer genocide hashtags and warned that the microblogging platform may face "penal action" for non-compliance of its order.

While more than 500 accounts were stated to be removed in the event of the R-Day chaos, further compliance of Twitter in accounts and content flagged Twitter is being debated, especially content claiming genocide in India.

Recently withheld Twitter accounts included those of Kisan Ekta Morcha and BKU Ekta Urgahan, which were later allowed to post on the platform again.

The microblogging platform released a statement on Wednesday clarifying its stance.

"We have withheld some of the accounts identified in the blocking orders under our Country Withheld Content policy within India only. These accounts continue to be available outside of India," Twitter stated.

"However, we have not taken any action on accounts that consist of news media entities, journalists, activists, and politicians. We will continue to advocate for the right of free expression on behalf of the people we serve and are exploring options under Indian law," the statement added.

Meanwhile, as the Indian government and union ministers increasingly support India's "Aatmanirbhar" alternative 'Koo', concerns over Twitter Ban in India continue to be discussed.

(With Agency Inputs)