January 23, 2021
Bihar social media gag sets off storm | India News
PATNA: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar confronted criticism on Friday over an order to provoke proceedings towards anybody making “objectionable, inappropriate or misleading” comments on social media against the state government, ministers or officers.
Tejashwi calls Bihar govt move violation of right to free speech
The directive, which came through police’s economic offences unit on Thursday, unleashed a political storm reminiscent of the one that had forced Kerala to backtrack on an amendment to the police act that would have made online criticism of state government punishable under law.
RJD’s Tejashwi Prasad Yadav called it a violation of the right to free speech. “Nitish has forgotten that democracy started from Bihar and freedom of expression is a fundamental right. If the government or ministers are indulging in corruption, why shouldn’t people raise it? If anyone criticises the state government, what is wrong in it?” he stated. On Thursday, EOU’s extra director common Nayyar Hasnain Khan had issued a round to all departments asking them to report “cybercrime” as outlined within the order in order that authorized motion may very well be taken towards such individuals. As per the round, “continuous information” was arriving about some individuals and outfits making derogatory feedback on social media towards authorities, ministers, MPs and officers. “For such acts, it seems proper to take legal action. EOU is the nodal agency for cyber crime in state,” it says.
Tejashwi calls Bihar govt move violation of right to free speech
The directive, which came through police’s economic offences unit on Thursday, unleashed a political storm reminiscent of the one that had forced Kerala to backtrack on an amendment to the police act that would have made online criticism of state government punishable under law.
RJD’s Tejashwi Prasad Yadav called it a violation of the right to free speech. “Nitish has forgotten that democracy started from Bihar and freedom of expression is a fundamental right. If the government or ministers are indulging in corruption, why shouldn’t people raise it? If anyone criticises the state government, what is wrong in it?” he stated. On Thursday, EOU’s extra director common Nayyar Hasnain Khan had issued a round to all departments asking them to report “cybercrime” as outlined within the order in order that authorized motion may very well be taken towards such individuals. As per the round, “continuous information” was arriving about some individuals and outfits making derogatory feedback on social media towards authorities, ministers, MPs and officers. “For such acts, it seems proper to take legal action. EOU is the nodal agency for cyber crime in state,” it says.
