India News

Parliament panel summons Twitter India on issue of “safeguarding citizens’ rights”

Published

8 years ago

February 6, 2019

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Twitter India has been summoned by Parliament’s Standing Committee on Information Technology, reportedly over its alleged ‘bias’ against right wing accounts when BJP seeks to leverage its dominance on social media ahead of the crucial 2019 Lok Sabha election.

Twitter India said it was in touch with the Indian government on the issue, said media reports.

“Discussions with the government on this issue are currently on and nothing further can be commented at the moment till further clarity,” a Twitter India spokesperson told IANS.

Twitter India has been called to appear before Parliament’s standing committee on information technology on Feb 11 in what is being seen as a response to concerns over fake news and representations that the platform has been shutting down pro-BJP and right-wing handles, said media reports.

The panel has also called officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEIT) for the meeting that will be headed by BJP leader Anurag Thakur.

BJP MP Anurag Thakur, who heads the panel, has also invited views and suggestions from the general public on the matter.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While several reports and studies have pointed to the fact that majority of fake news and malicious, hateful propaganda on social media is from right wing accounts – some even leading to violence – right-wing handles have accused Twitter India officials of bias against PM Narendra Modi, digging out tweets that they say display an anti-BJP orientation.

Activist-advocate Ishkaran Singh Bhandari met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on January 28 and apprised him of the alleged “discriminatory and unfair practices” by Twitter, which he said were a “threat to national security”. In his application, Bhandari alleged that Twitter was suspending accounts which either support “Indic ideals or the current government”.

Several BJP and right-wing social media users have complained of Twitter India’s political bias, with Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Bagga organising a protest against the platform, a Times of India (TOI) report said. Bagga has been running a campaign with the hashtag “ProtestAgainstTwitter” – on Twitter.

Earlier this week, the members of Youth for Social Media Democracy, a right-wing group, protested outside its office alleging that the company was blocking right-wing accounts. Youth for Social Media Democracy said “The instance of such strong political biases during an election year is an attempt to influence India’s elections, which violates the right to free and fair elections, which is (sic) a fundamental ethos of Indian Democracy. Rules must be consistently applied without any such biases, however, there are repeated instances (sic) of such biases when it comes to reporting accounts or verification of them.”

The panel will examine a range of issues, including the problems of fake news, particularly in the run-up to Lok Sabha elections, reported TOI citing committee sources. BJP spokespersons have often complained that the social media site is slack when it comes to acting against abusive behaviour of their political rivals, while being quick to suspend right-wing accounts.

Social media companies have been in touch with the Election Commission and guidelines are being worked out, but the committee is keen to examine how Twitter India is dealing with complaints of bias and fake news, the technological tools used to detect and filter such comment and how the firm deals with allegations of bias, the TOI report said.

Earlier last year, the government had issued a notice to Facebook, seeking its response over the Cambridge Analytica data breach and the measures it had taken to ensure the safety and prevention of misuse of personal data.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Up Next

SC issues contempt notice to Prashant Bhushan on Attorney General Venugopal’s plea

Don't Miss

MHA asks Mamata to take disciplinary action against Kolkata police commissioner

India News

Gandhi Parivar vs Sangh Parivar, Revanth Reddy’s remark sparks BJP attack

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks contrasting the Gandhi Parivar with the Sangh Parivar triggered a BJP response accusing Congress of prioritising the Gandhi family.

Published

45 mins ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks comparing the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar have triggered a political exchange, with the BJP hitting back at the Congress leader.

Speaking in Kerala on Friday, Mr Reddy described the contest over India’s future as a fight between the two “parivars”. He said the Gandhi family had made sacrifices for the country while accusing the Sangh Parivar of attempting to divide India on the basis of religion, caste, region and language.

What Revanth Reddy said

Mr Reddy cited Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi while speaking about what he described as sacrifices made by the Gandhi family.

He also referred to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, saying they had given up positions, power and high office.

The Telangana Chief Minister said he had no remaining personal political ambitions and described his objective as working towards a Congress-led government at the Centre with Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister.

Mr Reddy also appealed to people to stand with the Gandhi Parivar and oppose the Sangh Parivar. He described the latter as a threat to India’s democracy.

BJP hits back

The BJP responded to Mr Reddy’s remarks on Saturday.

BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said the Telangana Chief Minister’s comments amounted to an admission that Congress’s objective was to bring the Gandhi family back to power.

He also linked Mr Reddy’s remarks to the ongoing political debate around “vote chori”, the Election Commission, the Constitution and democracy, arguing that the Congress’s focus was instead on the Gandhi family.

The exchange adds to the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress, with Mr Reddy presenting the Gandhi Parivar and Sangh Parivar as opposing forces in India’s political future, while the BJP has interpreted his remarks as evidence of Congress’s focus on the Gandhi family.

India News

India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

Published

7 hours ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

India News

Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

Published

21 hours ago

September 25, 2026

APNLive Desk

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.