)
New Delhi: The Indian government has strongly refuted allegations made by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, who claimed to have received “many requests” from India to censor accounts critical of the government and reporting on farmers’ protests. Union IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar denounced Dorsey’s statement as an “outright lie” and an attempt to whitewash a “dubious period of Twitter’s history.”
In an interview on the YouTube channel ‘Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar,’ Dorsey mentioned instances where foreign governments had applied pressure on Twitter. He specifically cited India, alleging that the country made numerous requests regarding farmers’ protests and journalists critical of the government. He claimed that threats were made, including shutting down Twitter in India and raiding the homes of its employees. Dorsey likened India’s actions to those of Turkey, which had previously imposed restrictions on the platform.
Opposition parties seized upon Dorsey’s comments, criticizing the government’s alleged suppression of social media. However, Union Minister Anurag Thakur dismissed the allegations, labeling them as a “blatant lie.” He accused Dorsey of attempting to cover up his own misdeeds, referencing previous revelations about Twitter’s misuse in the “Twitter Files” during the period when Dorsey was still associated with the company.
Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar argued that Dorsey’s claims were fictional and accused Twitter of weaponizing misinformation against India and its government. He emphasized that all platforms, whether foreign or domestic, must comply with Indian laws to operate in the country. Chandrasekhar stated that Twitter had repeatedly violated Indian law during Dorsey’s tenure but eventually achieved compliance in June 2022 without any repercussions.
Chandrasekhar highlighted the importance of removing misinformation during the farmers’ protests in January 2021 to prevent further escalation. He criticized Twitter’s partisan behavior, alleging that the platform demonstrated a double standard by removing misinformation in the USA while being reluctant to do so in India. The minister also raised concerns about Twitter’s arbitrary and discriminatory conduct during that period, suggesting violations of India’s constitution.
The government’s stance remains focused on ensuring compliance with laws by all intermediaries operating in India. Chandrasekhar concluded by emphasizing the need for a safe, trusted, and accountable internet environment, in accordance with the government’s policies.
The Congress party seized upon Dorsey’s comments, using them as evidence of the government’s alleged suppression of democracy. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate demanded an end to the government’s alleged coercion of social media and media outlets, calling for a free and unbiased environment.
The controversy surrounding Dorsey’s claims adds another layer to the ongoing debate over the role of social media platforms in India and their compliance with Indian laws, particularly during sensitive periods such as the farmers’ protests.
Sources By Agencies
