by NEW DELHI: The I&B ministry said on Tuesday it ordered last week the blocking of apps, websites and social media accounts of foreign-based “Punjab Politics TV”, which had close links with Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), an outfit that was declared unlawful under the UAPA, reports Swati Mathur. The decision, the ministry said, was taken following intelligence that ‘Punjab TV Politics’ was attempting to use online media to disturb public order during state polls.
The I&B ministry also said it invoked the emergency powers available to it under the IT Rules on February 18 to block the digital media resources of ‘Punjab Politics TV’. Punjab went to the polls two days later, on February 20.
The contents of blocked apps, websites and social media accounts, the government said, had the potential to incite communal disharmony and separatism and were found to be “detrimental to sovereignty and integrity of India, security of state and the public order”.
In an official statement, the ministry said it was observed that the launch of new apps and social media accounts was timed to gain traction during the Punjab elections. The government remains, it added, vigilant and committed to thwarting any actions having the potential to undermine India’s sovereignty and integrity.
This is the third instance of the I&B ministry taking down offensive content. In December last year, the ministry had invoked, for the first time, the emergency clause of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, to block 20 YouTube channels and two websites.
The I&B ministry also said it invoked the emergency powers available to it under the IT Rules on February 18 to block the digital media resources of ‘Punjab Politics TV’. Punjab went to the polls two days later, on February 20.
The contents of blocked apps, websites and social media accounts, the government said, had the potential to incite communal disharmony and separatism and were found to be “detrimental to sovereignty and integrity of India, security of state and the public order”.
In an official statement, the ministry said it was observed that the launch of new apps and social media accounts was timed to gain traction during the Punjab elections. The government remains, it added, vigilant and committed to thwarting any actions having the potential to undermine India’s sovereignty and integrity.
This is the third instance of the I&B ministry taking down offensive content. In December last year, the ministry had invoked, for the first time, the emergency clause of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, to block 20 YouTube channels and two websites.
