Lucknow, March 23 (IANS) How does one prevent hate speeches and inflammatory videos from being shared through applications like WhatsApp and on BlackBerry Messenger (BBM)? Well, that's what has stumped poll officials.
Having pronounced a strict code of conduct on use and misuse of social media during the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission (EC) is now faced with an unprecedented situation. This, officials say, is because the poll panel has not found ways to stop and prevent hate speeches, promotional campaigns or inflammatory videos from finding its way into public discourse through applications like WhatsApp and on BBM.
Senior poll panel officials confirmed the threat this poses to peaceful conduct and level playing field to all political players. They say they are in talks with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and other security agencies to "figure out on what can be done best and swiftly".
"This is a situation we have at hand and we are trying to deal with it," confided a senior election commission official. He, however, added that the commission is working to find a solution.
For now, the police in Uttar Pradesh, has found a new way.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Public grievances), Satish Ganesh, says people found in possession of such clips would be hauled up and booked under various sections of the Indian penal Code (IPC).
The holder of such inflammatory clips, jokes, messages, campaigns on these modules may invite serious charges as holding them will be tantamount to disruption of public peace and harmony, Ganesh told IANS.
He added they will be dividing the cases in which such complaints are received in two categories. The first category is one whose mobile phones carry such video clips and the second category is one who forwards it to others.
Both acts are punishable and people will be booked for them, an official added. The decision of the state police has the endorsement of the poll panel, which says its mandate is to "ensure peaceful elections" and "anything that contributes to this is a welcome step".
A separate cell has also been formed to keep a tab on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, and tech savvy officials have been asked to keep vigil on the material being posted on walls "across the board".
The cell will keep an eye on the FB accounts and Twitter handles of political leaders and candidates of all parties. EC officials say this has been done to ensure that no promotional campaigns without clearance from them finds its way into the virtual world.
"EC guidelines have to be adhered to in toto and we will do all that is needed for the same," said Umesh Sinha, chief electoral officer (CEO) of Uttar Pradesh.
As the poll panel and the security agencies sharpen their knives, the users will be haunted by the spectre of being booked for something so common - forwarding messages and clips!
Politics on 'Amar Jyoti': Dharmendra Pradhan's target on Rahul, said - you have no answer in spreading misconceptions and misleading
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi fiercely. He said that those playing with national security and raising questions on the valor of the army are talking about
57-hour curfew in Ahmedabad, decision on curfew in Surat and Vadodara till tonight
Concerns about increasing cases of corona in the country are increasing everywhere. A curfew of 57 hours is being imposed in Ahmedabad from 9 pm tonight. It will remain till six in the morning of 23
PM Modi Namibia Visit: Meeting with the President, address in Parliament... PM Modi reached Namibia after Brazil; Know the full schedule.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Namibia's capital Windhoek this morning. He was given a grand welcome here. This is his first visit to Namibia and the third visit by an Indian Prime
Shiv Sena re-kindles anti-JNPP protests
Ratnagiri (Maharashtra), March 19 (IANS) The Shiv Sena on Thursday renewed its protests against the 9,900 MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP), coming up with French collaboration in the
BSF Chief Reviews Security along Bangladesh Border
Kolkata, Jan 16 (IANS) In the wake of recent attacks by Bangladeshi smugglers, Border Security Force Director General D.K. Pathak Friday reviewed the security scenario and border management along
Farmers organizations did not know the route of PM: Farmers were going to the district headquarters, not to block the highway; Punjab Police stopped on Modi's route
The reason for the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab was the Punjab Police itself, not the farmers. The farmers were going to protest at the district headquarters.
Baba Siddiqui murder case: 'They used to talk to the conspirators by taking hotspots from the laborers', big revelation by accused Akashdeep
Akashdeep Gill, who was arrested from Punjab in connection with the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui, has made a big revelation. During interrogation, he told how he used to talk to the conspirators
Naseeruddin Shah: Naseeruddin removed the post supporting Diljit Dosanjh, said- 'Without burning anyone's beard...'
Bollywood veteran Naseeruddin Shah had reacted in support of singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh on Monday. For this, the actor had to face criticism and seeing the controversy growing, he has deleted his
Will CAA be banned? The hearing will be held in the Supreme Court today, more than 200 petitions filed in protest
Citizenship Amendment Act: The petitions filed against the Citizenship Amendment Act will be heard in the Supreme Court today. More than 200 petitions have been filed against CAA. A three-judge bench
Salman Khan and Zeeshan Siddiqui again received death threats, who called this time? Made this demand
In Maharashtra, actor Salman Khan and Baba Siddiqui's son Zeeshan Siddique have again received threats. Sources said that this threatening call had come on the phone of Zeeshan Siddiqui's public
