Uttar Pradesh Police Ask Twitter To Delete ¡®Provocative¡¯ Posts On #BeefMurder, #DadriLynching

UP police on Monday wrote a letter to Twitter Inc asking for removal of certain photographs and text uploaded on the social networking service said to be related to the Dadri incident in which Akhlaq (50) was lynched following rumours that his family had consumed and stored beef.

"Objectionable text and graphics...whip up communal passions"

IG (administration) Prakash D said the letter was sent by the social media lab of UP police asking for removal of specific photographs and text uploaded by a twitter handle. "We are investigating into the other aspects like the individual behind the handle that was used to upload this objectionable text and graphics as such activities whip up communal passions which can prove detrimental for the surcharged atmosphere prevailing in certain parts of the state," he said.

Rumors flying around

The letter follows chief minister Akhilesh Yadav's directive on Sunday to state administration to punish those misusing social media. "The chief minister has directed to take stern action against elements creating disharmony and inciting hatred by circulating baseless content on social media, specially (on) Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter," a spokesman said. Yadav said after the Dadri incident, "notorious elements and communal forces were circulating objectionable content on social media". Effective action should be taken and elements spreading rumours should be dealt with strictly by taking immediate cognizance of such cases, he said. The spokesman said some tweets originated from a twitter handle being operated from Noida with the motive of disturbing communal harmony and spreading hatred.

These tweets were made on September 30 and an FIR has been lodged in the matter. Stern action would be taken against the person concerned after investigation, the spokesman said. The state administration has also asked people to inform them if they came across any such cases on social networking websites and applications. The identity of the informer would be kept secret.

(Originally published in the Times of India)