Oppn stages walkout alleging no action against portals for objectionable articles on Savitri Phule
Devendra Fadnavis said the police have filed a case against Twitter handle @bharadwajspeaks and digital platforms Indic Tales and Hindu Post, that allegedly published derogatory articles about the 19th-century social reformer.
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Fadnavis said, “Strict action will be taken against those who spread defamatory text about Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule". (ScreenGrab) THE OPPOSITION on Thursday staged a walk-out from the Lower House alleging that no action had been taken against portals that had allegedly uploaded objectionable content on Savitribai Phule.
While an FIR was registered in the case on June 1 against the portals, so far no arrests have been made. Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the delay was due to a delay on the part of social media platform Twitter to provide details.
After NCP leader Jitendra Awhad, during the question hour, raised a question about action taken in the case, Fadnavis said, “Strict action will be taken against those who spread defamatory text about Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule. The government has corresponded with Twitter India three times for information about the operator of the Twitter handle from which the defamatory content was circulated. The person will soon be arrested.”
Fadnavis said the police have filed a case against Twitter handle @bharadwajspeaks and digital platforms Indic Tales and Hindu Post, that allegedly published derogatory articles about the 19th-century social reformer.
Earlier, Fadnavis had said that Indic Tales was run by Sarayu Trust. While the Twitter handle has been taken off, Hindu Post identifies itself as a Delhi-based organisation, and identifies itself as a media platform for discussion on topics concerning Hindus across the world.
Responding to Fadnavis, Congress’ Balasaheb Thorat asked, “What did Rahul Gandhi say that he was given a two-year sentence, and why such non-action now?” Thorat was referring to Gandhi’s conviction by a Surat court in March in a criminal defamation case over his “Modi surname” remark which subsequently led to his disqualification as a Lok Sabha member.
The Opposition staged a walkout in protest against Fadnavis’s reply. Condemning the Opposition’s stand, the deputy CM said there can be no politics over the respect and dignity of an icon like Savitribai Phule. Fadnavis added, “Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule is revered by all of us. And so, such defamation will never be tolerated. The state government immediately took steps in this regard, and sought from Twitter the address of the miscreant.”
The Azad Maidan police had registered an FIR in the matter under section 505 and 505(II) of the Indian Penal Code based on CM Eknath Shinde’s directions, after NCP leaders protested against the disparaging articles and Twitter post. So far no arrests have been made in the case.
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