Delhi Police have issued notices to several X (formerly Twitter) accounts, including some associated with news portals, over posts containing abusive remarks targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and security forces during recent student protests in Delhi and other locations.

According to police sources, the notices seek information about individuals who allegedly used abusive language in social media posts. The exact number of X accounts that have received notices has not been disclosed.

The action comes after authorities reviewed content shared during and after the protests, examining posts, videos and comments across multiple social media platforms for possible violations of law and their potential impact on public order.

Police continue social media monitoring

Delhi Police said its social media monitoring team has been continuously tracking online platforms for content related to the protests. Officials stated that notices are being issued to social media intermediaries whenever objectionable or abusive content is identified, directing them to remove such material.

According to the police, multiple posts containing abusive language directed at the Prime Minister surfaced during the student protests at Jantar Mantar and following the violence linked to the July 20 ‘Sansad Chalo’ march.

Officials said several comments and videos flagged by the police have already been removed after notices were served to the respective platforms.

Police had earlier flagged Pakistan-linked accounts

Earlier, Delhi Police said it had identified more than 400 social media handles allegedly linked to Pakistan that were circulating fake narratives, rumours and deepfake videos related to the protests.

The police said cyber and social media teams are continuing to monitor online activity connected to the demonstrations. Authorities said the exercise is aimed at identifying additional content that may violate applicable rules and taking appropriate action where necessary.

At least 13 Indian seafarers are among the 15 crew members stranded aboard cargo vessel M.V. AMIR1 at Ukraine’s Chornomorsk port, where continued drone and missile attacks have raised serious concerns over their safety.

The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) has described the situation as “life-threatening” and urged the Indian government, shipowners, the vessel’s flag state and relevant authorities to take immediate steps to ensure the crew’s safety and arrange their evacuation.

FSUI seeks urgent rescue of stranded Indian crew

In a post on X, the FSUI said the vessel remains trapped at Chornomorsk while repeated drone and missile attacks are taking place in the surrounding area.

According to the union, the crew is living under constant fear of being hit as hostilities continue near the Black Sea port. It appealed for urgent intervention, stating that Indian seafarers should not be left exposed in conflict zones and called for their prompt repatriation.

The union also shared a video, which it said was recorded from the vessel, showing large plumes of smoke rising near the port, underscoring the volatile security situation.

No official response yet

As of the latest reports, neither India’s Ministry of External Affairs nor the shipping company operating the vessel had issued an official response regarding the reported distress of the Indian crew members.

Black Sea security concerns continue

The latest incident comes amid growing risks to commercial vessels operating in the Black Sea as fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues.

Earlier this week, India summoned Ukraine’s Ambassador to India, Oleksandr Polishchuk, and lodged a strong protest following the death of an Indian seafarer in an attack on a merchant vessel in the Black Sea.

The Ministry of External Affairs said it conveyed New Delhi’s serious concern over the incident and strongly condemned attacks on commercial shipping.

The merchant vessel MV Omorfi was reportedly struck during Ukrainian drone attacks amid the ongoing conflict, further highlighting the dangers faced by civilian ships operating in the region.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday strongly criticised the appointment of Pralhad Joshi as the Union Education Minister, alleging that the BJP had entrusted the ministry to a leader who had defended the premature release of the convicts in the Bilkis Bano case.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Gandhi expressed surprise over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to hand over the Education Ministry to Joshi after Dharmendra Pradhan stepped down from the post following sustained protests over alleged paper leaks.

Referring to Joshi’s earlier remarks on the remission granted to 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case, Gandhi said the BJP had chosen a “defender of rapists” for the Education Ministry. He further alleged that there could not be “a filthier man” than someone who believes rapists deserve protection.

His remarks came while the Lok Sabha was debating a Bill aimed at strengthening action against unfair practices in public examinations.

Rahul Gandhi cites Joshi’s earlier remarks on Bilkis Bano case

Pralhad Joshi had defended the Gujarat government’s decision to grant remission to 11 men convicted of raping Bilkis Bano and murdering members of her family during the 2002 Gujarat riots.

At the time, Joshi had stated that the convicts had spent a considerable period in prison and that their release was carried out under the legal process. He had also referred to their reported good behaviour while serving their sentences as one of the factors behind the decision.

In 2024, however, the Supreme Court cancelled the remission granted to the convicts, observing that the order lacked legal competence.

Priyanka Gandhi also questions the appointment

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed Rahul Gandhi’s criticism during her speech in the Lok Sabha.

She said the appointment of a minister who had previously supported the release of the Bilkis Bano convicts sent an adverse message to women and girls across the country. According to her, the Prime Minister’s decision conveyed a clear message without any ambiguity.

Earlier, while Rahul Gandhi was addressing reporters, Priyanka Gandhi also pointed out that many women had participated in the protests related to the education system.

Education Ministry changed after paper leak protests

Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Union Education Minister on Saturday following weeks of protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over alleged paper leaks. The demonstrations had been underway at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar since June 20.

Pradhan’s resignation was one of the key demands raised by the protesters. The agitation was called off hours after his resignation letter was submitted to the Prime Minister.

Following the resignation, the Centre assigned the additional charge of the Education Ministry to Pralhad Joshi, who continues to hold the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution portfolios.