- Thursday, February 27, 2025
The country’s ministry of electronics and information technology (IT) ministry has cautioned social media platforms to adhere to new IT rules, balancing freedom of expression with “reasonable restrictions”.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIA’s Narendra Modi government is likely to take action against social media giant Twitter over a horrific video that emerged on Wednesday (19) showing two women in the north-eastern state of Manipur paraded naked and sexually assaulted by a mob.
The duo were allegedly gang-raped in a field and the incident reportedly happened on May 4, a day after ethnic clashes began between the Meitei and Kuki communities of the state over the demand of the Scheduled Tribe status.
The government reportedly asked Twitter and social media platforms to take down the video saying the matter was under investigation.
The ministry of electronics and information technology (IT) ministry has cautioned social media platforms to adhere to new IT rules, balancing freedom of expression with “reasonable restrictions”.
The circulation of videos that could cause law and order problems are not legally permitted, the government has said.
NDTV reported citing sources that an order initiating action against the microblogging site for not complying was issued on Wednesday night.
The video caused massive outrage across the country and prime minister Narendra Modi spoke on the matter, saying the guilty would not be spared. Even the Supreme Court said it would take action if the government did not.
More than 120 people have been killed in ethnic violence in Manipur while several thousands have been displaced and are now residing in relief camps.
One man was arrested on Thursday in relation to the incident, 77 days after it took place, while the police said all of them seen in the video would be arrested soon.
The two survivors reported to the police a fortnight after the horrific incident.
The matter was also highlighted in the parliament where the monsoon session started on Thursday. The day saw several adjournments as the opposition demanded a statement from Modi. The opposition Indian National Congress said the prime minister’s brief reaction was inadequate and came too late.
