By Ravish Pal Singh
In Short
- Order aims to prevent communal unrest via social platforms
- Cybercafes must verify users with ID and keep records
- Violation leads to arrest, appeals allowed under law
Bhopal Police on Saturday issued a prohibitory order to curb the misuse of social media platforms in spreading hatred, inciting violence, and disrupting communal harmony. Enforced under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023, the order has come into immediate effect and will remain in force for the next two months.
The move followed concerns that certain anti-social elements have been leveraging platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and Instagram to circulate objectionable messages, images, and videos that could provoke communal tensions. Authorities have warned that any violation of the directive will invite stringent legal action.
The order explicitly prohibits individuals from using social media to disseminate messages that incite religious, social, or caste-based hatred. Posting, transmitting, or sharing inflammatory content, including photos, videos, or audio clips that could lead to communal discord, is strictly banned.
Even liking, commenting on, forwarding, or sharing such content is deemed a violation of the directive, the order stated. Social media group administrators are held accountable for ensuring that no objectionable content circulates within their groups.
This story was originally published in indiatoday.in. Read the full story here.