Dadri lynching case: UP govt asks Twitter to remove objectionable tweets

The UP government has directed Twitter to remove objectionable posts and pictures related to the Dadri lynching incident.

Lucknow: Amid intense politics over the Dadri lynching incident, the Uttar Pradesh government has directed the social networking websites to remove objectionable posts and pictures related to the public lynching of a 50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq over rumours that his family had consumed and stored beef.

Reports on Tuesday said that the UP Police, on the directions of the Samajwadi Party government, had written a letter to Twitter Inc asking them to remove some photographs and text uploaded on the social networking platform believed to be related to the Dadri incident.

A report published in 'The Times of India' quoted IG (administration) Prakash D as saying, “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 added.

The step was taken after Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav directed the police officials to punish those misusing social media and spreading communal poison in the society.

"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 UP government spokesman was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, a case was also registered after a controversial tweet was posted on a twitter handle operating from Noida, adjoining Delhi, on September 30.

Uttar Pradesh is on the edge since September 28 when a Mohammad Ikhlaq was lynched by a mob and his son injured critically after rumours that they had eaten beef.

Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had 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 had said.