Centre Invokes IT Rule to Ban Punjab Politics TV's Apps, Site, Social Media Accounts
New Delhi: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday, February 22, said it has blocked the apps, website and social media accounts of the foreign-based 'Punjab Politics TV'.
The government has claimed the outlet is linked to the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) organisation and said it had intelligence input that it was attempting to use the online platforms to disturb public order during the assembly elections.
The Union government, by a July 10, 2019 notification had declared SFJ an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and banned it for five years, saying the group’s primary objective was to establish an “independent and sovereign country” in Punjab and claiming that it openly espouses the cause of Khalistan.
The Union government on February 18 invoked its emergency powers under the new and controversial Information Technology Rules to block the channel's digital media resources.
This ‘emergency power’ within the IT Rules, is reserved with the Secretary of the I&B ministry, who can pass interim orders blocking any content without even giving an opportunity of hearing. Concerns have been voiced on the legality of such emergency powers.
In an analysis, The Wire – which is one of several media outlets that have moved court against provisions in the new IT Rules – notes that publishers of news and current affairs content were to be subjected to an adjudicatory mechanism parallel to courts of law, on a range of grounds which are not even offences under the parent IT Act.
In the case of Punjab Politics TV, the ministry said that the content of the blocked apps, websites and social media accounts had had the potential to incite communal disharmony, separatism and were found to be detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, and public order.
It was also claimed that the launch of new apps and social media accounts was "timed to gain traction" during the ongoing elections.
"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," the ministry said.
Assembly polls were held in Punjab on February 20 and the results will be declared on March 10.
In December 2021, the I&B ministry blocked of 20 YouTube channels and two websites that it claimed were spreading “anti-India propaganda and fake news”, using the same emergency powers under the controversial IT Rules.
“In a closely coordinated effort between intelligence agencies and the ministry of information and broadcasting, the ministry on Monday ordered blocking of 20 channels on YouTube and two websites spreading anti-India propaganda and fake news on the internet,” the government had then said.
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