Greeva Garg –
The Supreme Court of India heard a petition sought for directions to the Social Media Handles from putting up Islamophobic Content.
Also, the plea demands an investigation against Twitter and its users involved in putting out inflammatory posts to be conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Marking the scope of the issue raised in the petition, the bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana stated that, “Have you examined the recent IT Rules 2021. It takes care of it.”
The petitioner clarified that the IT Rules 2021 does not cover the scope of religion in terms of content carried on Social Media Platforms.
The petition filed by Advocate Khaja Aijazuddin alleged the reports of social media and tweets on Twitter for attaching the Muslim religion to the outbreak of Coronavirus.
The petition stated that, “Massive publicity was given by the media that many of the positive cases of symptoms of coronavirus were found from Tablighi Jamaat at Nizamuddin in Delhi.”
“Restrain all online social media networks operating in India not to carry any Islamophobic posts or messages hurting or insulting the feelings of a particular community. Issue directions to the Government of India to register a criminal complaint against Twitter and its users, who are spreading hatred messages,” the plea said.
The petitioner requests the Court to frame certain guidelines under IT Act to avoid such hatred content being uploaded on any particular religion by social media.
The petitioner initially moved to the Telangana High Court, where he was further referred to take up his plea in the Supreme Court.
Also read: Supreme Court states Social Media Manipulation Threatened Election & Voting Processes
