freedom of speech – The Commune https://thecommunemag.com Mainstreaming Alternate Sat, 13 Dec 2025 07:22:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 https://thecommunemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cropped-TC_SF-1-32x32.jpg freedom of speech – The Commune https://thecommunemag.com 32 32 17 Reported Cases In 5 Years: How Congress Governments Targeted Journalists And Influencers Across India https://thecommunemag.com/17-reported-cases-in-5-years-how-congress-governments-targeted-journalists-and-influencers-across-india/ Sat, 13 Dec 2025 07:22:41 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=135551 On 8 December 2025, Telangana Police arrested BJP state social media convenor Sumiran KV and two associates near the Abids Road police station in Hyderabad. The arrests came after posters appeared across the city criticising Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s two-year tenure, listing allegations of real-estate interference, temple demolitions, rising street crime, and commissions in […]

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On 8 December 2025, Telangana Police arrested BJP state social media convenor Sumiran KV and two associates near the Abids Road police station in Hyderabad. The arrests came after posters appeared across the city criticising Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s two-year tenure, listing allegations of real-estate interference, temple demolitions, rising street crime, and commissions in public projects.

In this report, we look at 17 incidents between 2020 and 2025 in which the Congress party or Congress-ruled state governments have filed FIRs against journalists, reporters, YouTubers, and social media influencers. These cases span Karnataka, Telangana, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal, and typically involve individuals booked for criticising party leadership, questioning governance, or highlighting local administrative failures.

Actions Against Social Media Users and Influencers

#1 Telangana Police Arrest BJP Social Media Team Over Critical Posters – 9 December 2025

Telangana police arrested BJP state social media convenor Sumiran Komarraju and two associates, Ajay and Tatipamula Sai Kiran Goud, on 8 December 2025 near Abid Road police station in Hyderabad. The arrests followed the distribution of posters criticizing Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s two years in office, highlighting issues including real estate influence, temple demolitions, street crime, and alleged project commissions. The controversial poster depicted Revanth Reddy seated on a throne-like chair with multiple robotic arms extending outward, each holding placards carrying various allegations against his administration.

According to police reports, a Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation employee filed the complaint on 6 December 2025, leading to the subsequent arrests of the BJP social media team members.

#2 Telangana Introduces History Sheets for Social Media Posts – 23 September 2025

On 23 September 2025, the Congress government in Telangana directed Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police to open Suspect or History Sheets against social media users accused of “cyber offences” and “financial frauds,” even without convictions.

This unprecedented measure marked the first time in India that social media posts could result in users being placed on criminal history sheets. The official memo cited Standing Order 600-1 of the Telangana Police Manual and Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, ordering police to treat such users as “habitual or addicted offenders” and place them under constant surveillance.

#3 Karnataka Police Arrest Influencer for Criticizing State Leadership – 4 December 2024

Belagavi Police arrested 38-year-old social media influencer Mohit Narasimhamurthy on charges of using abusive and unparliamentary language against Karnataka’s political leadership. The arrest followed a complaint by the Congress state unit regarding a video uploaded by Narasimhamurthy containing alleged insulting content directed at Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, and Ministers Satish Jarkiholi and K.H. Muniyappa.

#4 Hyderabad Police File FIR Against Influencer Over Rahul Gandhi Criticism – 7 July 2024

The Cyber-Crime wing of Hyderabad police registered an FIR against social media influencer Raushan Sinha, known online as @MrSinha_, on 2 June 2024, based on a complaint by advocate Eera Venkat Naik. The complaint alleged that the influencer spread fake news related to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s parliamentary speech delivered on 1 June 2024. According to the complainant, Rahul Gandhi had not made any wrong statements against Hindus, but the BJP social media ecosystem was intentionally provoking Hindu sentiment for political advantage.

#5 Karnataka Police Arrest Goa-Based Influencer Over Wealth Distribution Post – 18 May 2024

Karnataka police arrested influencer Vinit Naik from his residence in Ponda, Goa, following an FIR registered by Bengaluru’s cybercrime police. The case was based on a complaint by Congress party worker J Saravanan, who alleged that Naik, operating the X account ‘Bhiku Mhatre’ under the handle @MumbaichaDon, posted content against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that could create enmity between Hindus and Muslims and disturb societal peace. Specifically, Vinit had posted a video of Siddaramaiah’s speech claiming that Congress wanted to take wealth from Hindus and distribute it among Muslims.

#6 Indian Youth Congress Files Complaint Against Three Prominent Influencers – 26 April 2024

Leaders of the Indian Youth Congress filed a complaint on 26 April 2024 at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Hyderabad against three prominent social media influencers: Rishi Bagree, Arun Pudur, and Ajeet Bharti. The complaint alleged that these influencers had morphed and circulated a video of Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi’s speech delivered in Tukkuguda, Telangana, on 6 April 2024. According to IYC leaders, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s controversial remarks, the allegedly edited video of Rahul Gandhi’s speech was widely shared on social media. The complaint claimed that several fact-checkers had identified the video as edited.

#7 Instagram Account Holders Face Case Over Siddaramaiah Post – 12 January 2024

Bengaluru’s High Grounds police registered a case against two Instagram account holders, ‘troll_kannadiga_1’ and Kritika Kriti, for allegedly posting a morphed picture of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah accompanied by abusive comments. The FIR was filed based on a complaint by Sajay Yadav, secretary of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee’s Legal Cell. The charges included promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, and place of birth, as well as making or circulating false statements, rumors, or information with specific intent to cause harm.

#8 West Bengal Congress Files FIR Against Rishi Bagree – 1 December 2020

The West Bengal Congress filed an FIR in Kolkata against social media influencer Rishi Bagree regarding his tweet about the ongoing farmers’ protest dated 29 November 2020. In the FIR, Congress accused Bagree of attempting to incite the public through his allegedly provocative tweet and intentionally insulting Congress President Sonia Gandhi, thereby provoking the public at large with intention to break public peace and cause riots. The complaint also mentioned that Bagree committed the offense of intimidation through his social media account.

Actions Against Professional Journalists 

#9 Karnataka Congress Files FIR Against Arnab Goswami and Amit Malviya – 20 May 2025

On 20 May 2025, the Congress party filed an FIR against Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya for allegedly spreading misinformation against Congress. The case, registered at High Grounds police station in Karnataka, was based on a complaint by Shrikant Swaroop B N, head of the Indian Youth Congress’s legal cell.

The two were booked under Sections 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

#10 Congress Files Complaint Against Doordarshan Journalists – 9 May 2025

Karnataka Congress leader CM Dhananjaya filed complaints with Bengaluru’s High Grounds Police Station on 9 May 2025 against Doordarshan journalists Ashok Shrivastava and Prakhar Shrivastava. The complaint condemned a program that allegedly portrayed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge as a “traitor” during a period of heightened military conflict with Pakistan. Congress accused the journalists of making “communal, unverified, and derogatory statements” on social media. The targeting of government-employed Doordarshan journalists was particularly notable, as it involved state-run media personnel.

#11 Hyderabad Police Arrest Two Pulse News Journalists – 12 March 2025

Hyderabad police arrested Revathi Pogadadanda, Managing Director of Pulse Digital News Network, and Tanvi Yadav on 17 March 2025 for allegedly broadcasting “offensive” content about Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. The arrests followed a complaint by the Congress state social media unit. The Hyderabad court granted bail to both journalists on 17 March 2025, ruling that Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita could not be applied to them as there was no element of organized crime or monetary transactions involved in their journalistic work. The swift court intervention and bail grant suggested that the initial arrest may have lacked sufficient legal grounds.

#12 Telangana Journalist Booked for Complaining About Power Failure – 19 June 2024

The Telangana state government booked journalist Revathi for raising a civic issue, specifically complaining about a power failure within Hyderabad city limits. The FIR was filed at Lal Bahadur Nagar police station based on a complaint by M Dileep, a Telangana state government official.

The FIR stated that the complainant asserted the power failure allegation was false and intentionally aimed at defaming the state government and Telangana State Power Distribution Company Limited. The official requested action against Revathi for spreading false propaganda and making the incident viral on social media.

#13 Karnataka Police Book YouTuber Over Rahul Gandhi Commentary – 16 June 2024

Bengaluru’s High Grounds police booked YouTuber Ajeet Bharti for allegedly “spreading enmity between religious groups through false claims.” The FIR was filed based on a complaint by BK Bopanna, a lawyer and secretary of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee’s legal cell. Bopanna’s complaint referenced a video shared by Bharti on X, claiming that Bharti falsely stated Rahul Gandhi intended to bring back the Babri Masjid in place of the Ram Mandir, and that Rahul Gandhi had never made any such statements in his speeches.

#14 Karnataka Police File FIR Against TV Anchor Sudhir Chaudhary – 11 September 2023

Karnataka police registered an FIR against TV anchor Sudhir Chaudhary for allegedly “conspiring to disrupt communal harmony and spreading misinformation” in a show he hosted on the Aaj Tak news channel. The program discussed the state government’s commercial vehicle subsidy scheme for minority communities. Chaudhary was booked at Seshadripuram police station under various sections of the Indian Penal Code for promoting enmity between groups, based on a complaint filed by a Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation official. The case involved mainstream television journalism covering government policy, with the Congress-led Karnataka government treating critical coverage of its minority welfare schemes as criminal conduct.

#15 Rajasthan Congress Files Complaint Against Zee Hindustan Anchor – 1 July 2022

The Congress filed a complaint against Zee Hindustan anchor Rohit Ranjan at Bani Park police station in Jaipur for allegedly running a doctored video of Rahul Gandhi, despite the channel withdrawing the content and issuing a public apology. The FIR was filed on the complaint of Congress worker Ram Singh Kasanwa and booked Ranjan under IPC sections 504, 505 and others. The disputed news report allegedly presented former Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s comments on Students Federation of India brutality in Wayanad, Kerala, as condoning and supporting the killers of Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur. The case proceeded despite the channel’s corrective action and apology.

#16 Chhattisgarh Police Arrest Journalists After Congress MLAs Complain – 25 October 2021

Journalist Madhukar Dubey and technical assistant Avinash Palliwar were arrested on 25 October 2021 in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, after Congress MLAs Brihaspat Singh and Kuldeep Juneja complained that the web portal zeroparty.in published “misleading” information about them on 24 October 2021. The portal had published a report about a sting operation in which the MLAs had criticized Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. Two separate FIRs were registered against the media workers under various IPC sections, including extortion, threat to public servant, intentional insult, criminal intimidation, and defamation.

#17 Over 100 FIRs Filed Against Arnab Goswami Across India – 24 April 2020

More than 100 FIRs were filed by Congress party units and workers in various parts of India against Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami following his comments about Congress President Sonia Gandhi after the lynching of Hindu sadhus in Palghar on 16 April 2020. Goswami had asked probing questions about why Sonia Gandhi remained silent on the incident and whether the Italian-born politician would have maintained such silence if Christian priests had been murdered instead. Goswami also alleged that he and his wife were attacked by Congress workers on 24 April 2020 while returning to their Mumbai home from the studio. The nationwide cascade of FIRs represented a coordinated response by Congress units across multiple states.

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]]> BJP Supporter Johny Raja Who Posts Against DMK On Social Media Arrested By TN Police, Later Released On Bail https://thecommunemag.com/bjp-supporter-johni-raja-arrested-by-vellore-police-for-social-media-posts-targeting-dmk-later-released-on-bail/ Mon, 11 Nov 2024 05:38:23 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=95840 In a recent development, BJP supporter Johny Raja was arrested in Chennai by Vellore police following social media posts allegedly targeting the ruling DMK party. Raja was taken into custody and subsequently presented before the Vellore magistrate, where he was granted bail. BJP officials in the Vellore district, alongside party supporters, coordinated efforts to secure […]

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In a recent development, BJP supporter Johny Raja was arrested in Chennai by Vellore police following social media posts allegedly targeting the ruling DMK party. Raja was taken into custody and subsequently presented before the Vellore magistrate, where he was granted bail.

BJP officials in the Vellore district, alongside party supporters, coordinated efforts to secure his release on the day police arrested Johny Raja. Acknowledging the swift action taken by the party, district BJP officials expressed gratitude to the legal and IT wings and local leaders who liaised with Johny Raja’s family and provided immediate assistance.

Reports indicate that Raja had been vocal on social media, openly opposing DMK policies, which allegedly led to his arrest. BJP leaders and supporters condemned the arrest, describing it as an attempt by law enforcement to suppress dissent. “The DMK’s use of police force to silence opposing views is unacceptable and intimidatory,” stated BJP spokespersons, who criticized the incident as an infringement on freedom of speech. Party officials have assured that Johny Raja will receive all necessary legal support.

This comes as yet another incident that highlights the concerning trend of Tamil Nadu Police prioritizing the prosecution of individuals expressing dissenting views online over addressing more serious crimes such as drug peddling, rape, and murder.

Below is the list of past actions of the DMK government, which involved stifling the expression of dissenting opinions, and led to a crackdown on freedom of speech.

  • The Commune and its directors faced legal action for reporting on the confrontation between Podu Deekshitars of the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple and HR&CE officials.
  • BJP IT Wing and Social Media State Secretary Trichy Pugal Machendran was arrested for an alleged provocative Facebook post celebrating the death of the terrorist Palani Baba on his death anniversary. The post referred to Palani Baba as a “poisonous influence.”
  • TN BJP Functionary Pravin Raj was arrested in the wee hours of 1 October 2023 for his posts targeting the ruling party and the Congress.
  • The Tamil Nadu police even went up to Noida to try to arrest journalist Abhijit Majumder for his article on Udhayanidhi Stalin’s eradicate Sanathana Dharma remarks. 
  • A critic of the DMK, Badri Seshadri, was arrested for his comments in an interview on a YouTube channel regarding the Manipur issue, during which he made remarks about the Chief Justice of India.
  • Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary SG Suryah was taken into custody under non-bailable sections for his comments regarding Madurai CPI-M MP Su Venkatesan concerning a sanitation worker’s tragic death during drain cleaning in Pennadam town, Cuddalore district.
  • An AIADMK IT wing member was apprehended under non-bailable sections for sharing a video meme that humorously referenced MK Stalin’s video statement on Senthilbalaji’s arrest. The meme did not contain derogatory content.
  • A Pro-BJP Twitter user was arrested for sharing an old article and allegedly misattributing DMK to an illegal liquor-producing gang in Tiruppur, following the recent hooch tragedy in Marakkanam.
  • A Pro-BJP Twitter user was arrested for sharing an old article and allegedly misattributing DMK to an illegal liquor-producing gang in Tiruppur, following the recent hooch tragedy in Marakkanam.
  • Vice President of Tamil Nadu BJP’s Industrial Cell, Selva Kumar, was arrested for criticizing DMK Minister Senthilbalaji.
  • The admin of Voice of Savukku Shankar X handle was arrested for a video meme targeting CM MK Stalin and DMK Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan regarding the “eligible household” clause in the monthly assistance scheme for women.
  • The DMK government traveled to Gujarat to arrest BJP cadre John Ravi, who had made satirical social media posts about CM MK Stalin and his late father, Karunanidhi.
  • N Muthuramalingam, the State Propaganda Secretary of South India Forward Bloc, was arrested for expressing his views on Facebook regarding the release of terrorists convicted in the 1998 Coimbatore serial blasts case. Muthuramalingam had criticized Dravidian parties for considering the release of 36 prisoners, including those convicted for life in the Coimbatore terror attack, leading to his arrest.
  • In March 2024, Minjur Saleem, a pro-BJP activist found himself detained and later arrested for his dissenting views regarding the DMK Party’s governance, which he expressed on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

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The post BJP Supporter Johny Raja Who Posts Against DMK On Social Media Arrested By TN Police, Later Released On Bail appeared first on The Commune.

]]> Western Hypocrisy Unveiled: Suppresses Free Speech At Home While Labeling India ‘Fascist’ https://thecommunemag.com/western-hypocrisy-suppresses-free-speech/ Mon, 26 Aug 2024 08:17:18 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=84533 As Western nations criticize India for so-called threats to free speech and democracy, they should be scrutinised for their restrictive practices. From the UK’s crackdown on social media posts and France’s arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov to Ireland’s controversial “hate speech” bill and Brazil’s ban on X, these countries reveal a troubling pattern of […]

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As Western nations criticize India for so-called threats to free speech and democracy, they should be scrutinised for their restrictive practices. From the UK’s crackdown on social media posts and France’s arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov to Ireland’s controversial “hate speech” bill and Brazil’s ban on X, these countries reveal a troubling pattern of censorship.

Amid these developments, the stark contrast between Western criticisms and their internal policies raises questions about the state of free expression and democracy worldwide.

The West has always looked down upon India. They ranked India lower than abysmal countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan when it comes to free speech, democracy, human rights, happiness index, etc. It is clear that the world, particularly the West, is unhappy with India’s rapid rise to become a reckoning force. The rising popularity of PM Narendra Modi worldwide, along with India’s emergence as a leader of the Global South, and the de-dollarisation, among others, added to this western bitterness. Hence, there were repeated attacks under the garb of free speech concerns.

However, western media looks at the other side when it comes to the suppression of free speech in their lands. Here are a few examples of Western countries curbing FoE and also ‘calling out’ India for suppressing free speech, democracy in danger, and minorities undergoing ethnic cleansing – pot calling the kettle black scenario.

UK Arrests Citizens In Large Numbers for Sharing Memes

The United Kingdom is increasingly arresting individuals for social media posts, particularly in the wake of a mass stabbing that fueled anti-immigrant sentiment and sparked riots. The incident, involving Axel Rudakubana, who killed three young girls and injured others at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, led to widespread outrage. Information quickly spread online, claiming that Rudakubana was an illegal immigrant – he was born in the UK to parents who had migrated from Rwanda. The UK government responded by arresting individuals who shared these claims or posted content deemed to incite violence or hatred.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has been particularly active, warning the public to “think before you post,” emphasizing that online content that incites violence or hatred can lead to prosecution. Several arrests have been made, including a 55-year-old woman who shared misinformation and a man who posted a satirical TikTok video. Citizens criticized this crackdown for stifling free speech and creating a climate of fear in this Western nation, where expressing dissenting opinions can lead to arrest.

The UK seems to be moving towards an authoritarian approach to governance, where free speech is increasingly restricted. The government acts as a “truth detector,” punishing those who disagree with official narratives or spread misinformation. What happened to Free Speech in this western country?

France Arrests Telegram Founder 

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was arrested by French intelligence at Le Bourget Airport in Paris. His detention is reportedly linked to accusations including money laundering, aiding terrorism, and other criminal activities. However, the primary focus of the EU’s concern is Telegram’s encrypted messaging, which authorities argue hinders criminal investigations. This arrest represents an assault on free speech and digital privacy. Despite allegations, Telegram has actively moderated content in the EU, including blocking access to certain channels that violate local laws.

The arrest appears to be a move to pressure Durov into cooperating with government surveillance demands despite Telegram’s adherence to content moderation. This situation highlights a broader conflict between state surveillance and individual privacy rights, with the arrest seen as a tactic to force Telegram to compromise its encryption standards, which are central to user privacy. There are also allegations that French authorities are using the arrest to exert pressure on Durov and gain access to Telegram’s encrypted communications, which has significant implications for free speech and the right to privacy. The arrest is controversial because it contrasts with the EU’s Digital Services Act, which focuses on economic penalties for platforms rather than personal criminal liability.

Ireland Proposes “Hate Speech” Bill 

The proposed Irish “hate speech” bill aims to criminalize the possession of content deemed likely to incite hatred, including memes and photos stored on personal devices. If passed, the law could result in up to five years of jail time for individuals with such material. The bill lacks a clear definition of “hate,” making it a tool for broad censorship rather than targeting specific harmful speech. This bill could lead to subjective and arbitrary enforcement, stifling free speech and creating a culture of fear.

The law’s vagueness is particularly concerning as it leaves the door open for criminalizing a wide range of expressions, including what some may consider mere jokes or unpopular opinions. The bill’s inclusion of “protected characteristics” also raises concerns that even misgendering someone could result in criminal prosecution. Authorities would have the power to search personal devices for potentially prosecutable content, a move many see as reminiscent of dystopian censorship.

The Irish bill goes further than similar laws in other countries, making it one of the most extreme examples of state-driven censorship of free speech in a modern Western democracy.

Brazil Forces X To Close 

X, formerly known as Twitter, announced on 17 August 2024 that it would close its operations in Brazil due to escalating tensions with Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The conflict began in April when X was forced to block certain accounts in Brazil as part of an investigation into “digital militias” accused of spreading misinformation. However, X claimed it was unaware of the specific reasons behind the orders and which posts violated Brazilian law.

X owner Elon Musk criticized the legal orders as excessively harsh, labelling them “the most draconian demands of any country.”

Musk stated that Brazil ordered the platform to suspend accounts of sitting members of parliament and journalists, actions that X had to pretend were based on its own rules.

The situation escalated when Musk announced plans to reactivate the blocked accounts, prompting de Moraes to include Musk in an investigation and accuse him of obstruction of justice and incitement to crime. De Moraes also threatened to arrest an X legal representative in Brazil and imposed a daily fine if X did not comply with the court orders.

In response, X shut down its operations in Brazil, though the platform will remain accessible to users.

Australia Tries To Censor X Posts  

Australia’s government, led by the eSafety Commissioner, ordered X to remove footage of a terrorist attack in Sydney from its platform, prompting a heated response from Elon Musk. The incident involved a teenager charged with terrorism after attacking an Assyrian priest, and the video of the event was circulating on X. Australia’s Federal Court mandated the removal of this content, citing the graphic nature of the video and its potential to incite violence and community tensions.

X initially complied by blocking the content for Australian users, but the eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, demanded a global takedown, arguing that platforms should do everything practical to minimize harm to Australians. Musk strongly criticized this directive, arguing that allowing any country to censor content globally could lead to excessive control over the entire internet. He vowed to challenge the ruling in court, claiming it was an overreach of Australian authority and an attack on free speech.

While Australian authorities emphasized the need to protect citizens from harmful content, Musk focused on defending free speech and resisting what he viewed as unjustified global censorship. The incident also underscored concerns about the spread of violent content on social media and the responsibilities of platforms in managing such content.

EU Tries To Blackmail Elon Musk

The European Union is pressuring Elon Musk’s social media platform X to reduce the amplification of “harmful content,” particularly ahead of significant events like former President Donald Trump’s appearance on X Spaces.

European Commissioner Thierry Breton emphasized that while freedom of expression should be protected, platforms like X must implement measures to mitigate the spread of content that could incite violence or disorder. This stance is part of the broader enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA), a new EU law regulating online content to prevent misinformation and harmful material.

Musk responded critically, accusing the EU of trying to impose unlawful censorship and claimed the European Commission had proposed a “secret deal” to censor content on X, which the platform refused quietly. The European Commission denied these allegations, asserting that any settlement process is part of established regulatory procedures and that the DSA applies to all platforms equally. X faces potential fines of up to 6% of its global revenue for non-compliance with the DSA, and the platform’s recent behaviour has raised concerns about its commitment to these regulations. The ongoing conflict highlights the tension between global internet platforms and regional regulatory bodies trying to enforce content moderation standards.

Biden DOJ Jails Man For Anti-Hillary Meme

Douglass Mackey, an internet personality known as “Ricky Vaughn,” was sentenced to seven months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to interfere with the 2016 U.S. presidential election by disseminating misleading memes. Mackey’s memes falsely encouraged Hillary Clinton supporters to “vote” via text message, a method that was not legally valid. His intent, according to prosecutors, was to suppress voter turnout among certain groups, mainly targeting Black and Hispanic voters, as well as women.

Mackey, who had a significant following on X with over 58,000 followers, conspired with others to create and distribute these deceptive messages. The memes, which mimicked official Clinton campaign ads in appearance, were intended to mislead voters into thinking they had cast a valid vote via text, thereby preventing them from voting in person.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) charged Mackey with conspiracy against rights, a charge traditionally used in civil rights cases to protect individuals’ constitutional rights, including the right to vote. The DOJ argued that Mackey’s actions deliberately disenfranchised voters, undermining the democratic process.

Mackey’s defence argued that his actions were protected under free speech laws and that there was no evidence that anyone was prevented from voting due to his memes. However, the jury found Mackey guilty, leading to his sentencing. 

Maduro Blocks Access To X

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro imposed a 10-day ban on the social media platform X amid growing unrest following a disputed presidential election. Maduro accused X’s owner, Elon Musk, of inciting hatred and fascism, leading him to sign a resolution from Venezuela’s telecommunications regulator, Conatel, to temporarily take X out of circulation. This action followed widespread accusations of election fraud after Maduro was declared the winner with 51.2% of the votes. At the same time, opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, who had been leading in polls, was reported to have received 44.2%.

The election results sparked nationwide protests, with the opposition claiming victory and warning of a potential mass exodus if Maduro remained in power. The foreign ministers of Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico urged Venezuela’s National Electoral Council to publish the vote tallies. This ban on X adds to Maduro’s ongoing confrontation with big tech, as he had also encouraged citizens to abandon Meta-owned WhatsApp in favour of other messaging apps like Telegram or WeChat.

These are some of the developed nations in the Western world that curb free speech in their country while criticising India for the imaginary “threat to Freedom of Expression and democracy.” For the world to function correctly and flourish, we need honest nations and leaders who do not poke their noses into other countries (especially developing ones).

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The post Western Hypocrisy Unveiled: Suppresses Free Speech At Home While Labeling India ‘Fascist’ appeared first on The Commune.

]]> Karnataka Doctor Faces Legal Action For Social Media Comment; No FoE For Hindus, Say Netizens https://thecommunemag.com/karnataka-doctor-faces-legal-action-for-social-media-comment-no-foe-for-hindus-say-netizens/ Wed, 17 Jul 2024 05:25:38 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=80822 On 13 July 2024, YouTubers Abhi and Niyu posted on their official X handle asking their followers “If you could delete one thing from the planet today – what would it be?” The responses ranged from targeting the YouTuber duo to diseases to war and whatnot. One netizen who goes by the name Dr. Upadhya wrote, […]

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On 13 July 2024, YouTubers Abhi and Niyu posted on their official X handle asking their followers “If you could delete one thing from the planet today – what would it be?” The responses ranged from targeting the YouTuber duo to diseases to war and whatnot. One netizen who goes by the name Dr. Upadhya wrote, “Muslim community“

A criminal case was registered in Udipi against the said Dr. Upadhya, whose full name is Dr Keertan Upadhya. Dr. Upadhya works as a laparoscopic surgeon at a private hospital in Brahmavar. The case was filed, following “allegations of posting derogatory and divisive remarks against Islam and Muslims on social media”. This became a big controversy after screenshots of his comments began circulating online, leading to widespread outrage. Several netizens tagged authorities including the Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) and urged them to intervene.

As reported in Mangalorean, in response to the backlash, Sub-Inspector (Wireless) Ajmal Ibrahim EA, head of the Udupi District Police’s Social Media Monitoring Cell, filed a complaint against Dr. Upadhya. The complaint requested legal action against the surgeon for attempting to “foment religious hatred and disrupt communal harmony” through his provocative comments.

The police registered a case against Dr. Upadhya under sections 196 and 353 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Indian Penal Code).

Dr. Upadhya later stated that his account had been hacked and subsequently deleted the controversial post. However, police sources confirmed that Dr. Upadhya did not file a formal complaint regarding the alleged hacking of his account.

Netizens wrote that Hindus had no freedom to write anything against the alleged minority community.

This is the state of Hindus who may have a “controversial” opinion on the alleged minority community. However, when Islamists go on the streets shouting “Sar Tan Se Juda“, there is no case filed for an “attempt to foment communal hatred and fan religious tension.” Just a day ago, the Ajmer court acquitted the Dargah cleric and others in the “sar tan se juda” slogan case citing a lack of evidence.

This seems to be yet another case of freedom of expression when it comes to Islamists whereas hate speech when it comes to Hindus. 

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The post Karnataka Doctor Faces Legal Action For Social Media Comment; No FoE For Hindus, Say Netizens appeared first on The Commune.

]]> How ‘The Hindu’ Supported Fake News & Misinfo Spreader Account Hindutva Watch After X Took Down The Account https://thecommunemag.com/how-the-hindu-supported-fake-news-misinfo-spreader-account-hindutva-watch-after-x-took-down-the-account/ Wed, 31 Jan 2024 11:17:37 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=68846 On 27 January 2024, an article appeared in The Hindu newspaper titled, ‘Blocking of Hindutva Watch and prevalence of social media censorship in India‘ penned by the senior sub-editor of the newspaper, Aaratrika Bhaumik. The article discusses how X, a social media platform, has complied with the Indian government’s orders to block accounts and tweets […]

The post How ‘The Hindu’ Supported Fake News & Misinfo Spreader Account Hindutva Watch After X Took Down The Account appeared first on The Commune.

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On 27 January 2024, an article appeared in The Hindu newspaper titled, ‘Blocking of Hindutva Watch and prevalence of social media censorship in India‘ penned by the senior sub-editor of the newspaper, Aaratrika Bhaumik. The article discusses how X, a social media platform, has complied with the Indian government’s orders to block accounts and tweets that are critical of its policies or actions. The article also explains the provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Rules that empower the government to issue blocking orders, and the lack of transparency and due process in the censorship regime. It highlights the cases of Hindutva Watch, Saurav Das, Tanul Thakur and others who have faced censorship on X and the implications for their work and expression. In retaliation to the claims made in the article, an X user, going by the username @thehawkeyex posted a rebuttal thread pointing out how the Hindutva Watch (HW) handle had spread fake news and misinformation freely.

On 22 May 2023, the HW handle posted on X said an old mosque was demolished by the Gujarat administration at Dahod, Junagadh for a smart city project. However, the post fails to mention that four old temples were also demolished along with the mosque to make way for the project. Additionally, the masjid also failed to produce necessary land documents in the court for proof of ownership.

On 20 Feb 2024, the HW handle posted an ‘untold story of Jammu massacre’ which claimed 6,00,000 Muslims were murdered in 7 days. However, the photo used for the story was that of the aftermath of devastating riots in Kolkata that happened in 1946.

In October 2023, the HW website reported a story stating, ‘Jeevan Jyoti church demolished citing “illegal construction on government land”’. However, the truth was far from it. The demolition was a planned removal drive with prior notice given to the church administration. Despite this, the government team was attacked by goons.

In September 2023, the HW website again posted misleading news stating that in Uttarakhand a Muslim youth was beaten, head shaved, and face blacked for an alleged interfaith relationship. The truth in this case was the man was accused of rape and hence the punishment was given to him by the community.

In December 2022, the X handle of HW again posted fake news stating that Muslim residents in the Gulmohar colony in Ujjain, UP were asked to vacate to give way for the Kumbh Mela festival to be held in 2028. However, the truth in this case was that the government has been requesting the people to vacate for a long time for multiple road expansion projects which included three Hindu colonies as well.

D-Intent data, a news data research organisation focuses on neutral fact checking and intent analysis, has flagged fifteen ‘news articles’ posted by HW as fake/misleading news articles.

In June 2023, the HW website was booked by the Maharashtra police for, ‘spreading fake news, defaming Hindus, and inciting mob’ during Kolhapur violence.

The user also alleges that the HW founder is a Kashmiri separatist named, Raquib Hamid Naik residing in the USA and colludes with Pakistanis. The technical backend of the site is managed by Adil Kayani who ran a “free Kashmir” campaign and also runs a propaganda website for setting anti-India narratives and secessionist ideologies.

The user further alleges that the co-founder Naik was working as director for the Two Circles Network (TCN) which was founded by Kashif Ul Huda, a terrorist organisation SIMI and Zakir Naik sympathizer.

Furthermore, there was a similar-named HW account on Reddit, which was banned due to hate content policy violation.

 

(With inputs from The Hawk Eye)

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The post How ‘The Hindu’ Supported Fake News & Misinfo Spreader Account Hindutva Watch After X Took Down The Account appeared first on The Commune.

]]> Dravidian Model Of Press Freedom: Puthiya Thalaimurai Takes Down Satirical Video On DMK Govt And Issues Apology https://thecommunemag.com/dravidian-model-of-press-freedom-puthiya-thalaimurai-takes-down-satirical-video-on-dmk-govt-and-issues-apology/ Mon, 15 Jan 2024 07:02:15 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=67494 Puthiya Thalaimurai News Channel recently posted a spoof/satire video depicting the Pongal gift hamper distribution going on in the ration shops. It was posted on the digital platforms of the channel. Since this was deleted by @PTTVOnlineNews , it is our responsibility to post it again. Pls share widely friends. #DMKFiles3 pic.twitter.com/Z61br9Z3xA — Indhavaainko (இந்தாவாய்ங்கோ) […]

The post Dravidian Model Of Press Freedom: Puthiya Thalaimurai Takes Down Satirical Video On DMK Govt And Issues Apology appeared first on The Commune.

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Puthiya Thalaimurai News Channel recently posted a spoof/satire video depicting the Pongal gift hamper distribution going on in the ration shops. It was posted on the digital platforms of the channel.

Several happenings in Tamil Nadu politics are spoofed in the video. A lady who is rushing to get the money in the crowd says her name is Kannamma. The person in charge of the distribution says, ‘Why everyone has names such as Annamma and Kannamma?‘ to which the lady replies, ‘In this town everyone is named like that.‘ Further into the video, the lady waiting to get the money asks, ‘how long will you count the money? Give it soon‘ and the person in charge replies, ‘Wait, let me see if any notes are stuck together‘. The lady then replies, ‘Why are you giving your father’s money?‘ and the person in charge retorts saying, ‘Aren’t you are getting this for free, take the money and leave‘.

Both of these dialogues are jabs at controversial statements made by Sport Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and former Minister for Higher Education Ponmudi. Towards the end of the video, a cameraman asks the lady to pose with the money, which she does, but wonders if this lady will go viral as the previous lady. This indicates to previous photos of happy old ladies smiling with the money they received under DMK government’s schemes.

செப்டம்பர் 15 முதல் கலைஞர் மகளிர் உரிமைத்தொகை திட்டம் முதல்வர் ...

The video irked many DMK aficionados, and comments accusing Puthiya Thalaimurai of being a ‘sanghi’ news channel started to pour in.

Official spokesperson of the DMK, Saravanan Annadurai, also posted strongly saying, ‘This video presents a low opinion. This is not a spoof, this is proof of rotten brains‘.

In reply to the reactions from DMK members, Krishna Kumar aka Parisal Krishna, editor of Digital Edition of PTTV posted his apologies.

He stated that, ‘In general, the video was only made as a comedy about what happens when the government schemes are taken to the people’ and subsequently removed from the platform.

“I accept the responsibility and apologize. The scene was not shot with the intention of criticizing the government. In general, the film was only made as a comedy about what happens when the government schemes are taken to the people. It has been misunderstood. There is no intention in this. I am also sorry for the ulterior tone. I accept your criticisms to work more carefully. That tweet has since been deleted.“, he said.

A Dravidianist pointed out that the video was posted by PTTV official handle, so only they should apologise and not Parisal Krishna from his personal handle.

Following the apology from Parisal Krishna, the official handle of Puthiya Thalaimura too issued an apology. DMK, which claims itself to be a bastion of social justice, press freedom, freedom of speech, has been sensitive to critical news targeted at them repeatedly.

Ironically, Dravidianists like SKP Karuna who supported freedom of speech during the Annapoorani film controversy has now decided to muffle it since the video in question was critical of the DMK.

 

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The post Dravidian Model Of Press Freedom: Puthiya Thalaimurai Takes Down Satirical Video On DMK Govt And Issues Apology appeared first on The Commune.

]]> TN Police Summons Journo Abhijit Majumder For The Second Time For His Article Criticising Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Comments On Sanathana Dharma https://thecommunemag.com/tn-police-summons-journo-abhijit-majumder-for-the-second-time-for-his-article-criticising-udhayanidhi-stalins-comments-on-sanathana-dharma/ Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:09:37 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=66038 A few months ago, journalist Abhijit Majumder became the focal point of scrutiny by the Tamil Nadu Police. The law enforcement authorities went as far as reaching out to a media house in Noida, actively seeking Abhijit without the issuance of any prior summons. On the morning of 30 September 2023, Abhijit Majumder took to his […]

The post TN Police Summons Journo Abhijit Majumder For The Second Time For His Article Criticising Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Comments On Sanathana Dharma appeared first on The Commune.

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A few months ago, journalist Abhijit Majumder became the focal point of scrutiny by the Tamil Nadu Police. The law enforcement authorities went as far as reaching out to a media house in Noida, actively seeking Abhijit without the issuance of any prior summons. On the morning of 30 September 2023, Abhijit Majumder took to his social media platform, X, to share a disconcerting incident.

In an X post today (20 December 2023), Abhijit updated that he had been summoned by the Tamil Nadu police for the second time to Chennai, having already attended the first summons. Notably, this action came after an FIR was filed in September and four Tamil Nadu police officers were dispatched to Noida in search of him.

This police action against freedom of speech is a result of a piece authored by Abhijit in early September 2023 for FirstPost. In his analysis, he delved into the political implications of a controversial speech delivered by Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.

What Was The Article About?

Abhijit Majumder’s FirstPost article delves into the potential unintended consequences of Udhayanidhi Stalin’s contentious speech, suggesting that it might have inadvertently favored the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu. The analysis, titled “Udhayanidhi Stalin’s call for Hindu genocide does BJP a big favour in Tamil Nadu,” seems to have sparked displeasure within the Tamil Nadu government, with the term “genocide” emerging as a focal point of contention.

In the article, he also wrote, “Udhayanidhi Stalin’s message has also gone out loud and clear. The innate bigotry and violence of it may gladden many of his supporters, but it will also polarise and consolidate votes against him,”.

“His own mother is a devout, practising Hindu. In that sense, his rant is not just anti-Hindu and anti-Bharat, but it is also in a sense matricidal. The DMK may not be able to live it down,”, he wrote further.

What Did Udhayanidhi Stalin Say At The Conference?

To provide context, in September 2023, Udhayanidhi Stalin addressed the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists’ Association’s conference titled “Eradicate Sanathana Dharma Conference.” During his speech, he made incendiary remarks, stating, “The title of this conference has been excellently coined. You’ve named it ‘Abolish Sanatanam Conference’ and not ‘Oppose Sanatanam Conference’, so my best wishes to that.” He compared Hinduism to mosquitoes and diseases like dengue, flu, malaria, and coronavirus, asserting that these aspects should not be opposed but entirely eradicated. Udhayanidhi Stalin further criticised the concept of Sanatan Dharma, describing it as being opposed to equality and social justice. He questioned the meaning of “Sanatanam” and labelled it as something that cannot be changed or questioned.

He said, “Mosquitoes, dengue, flu, malaria, corona – we should not oppose these things. They’ve to be eradicated completely. The same is the case with Santanam (Hinduism). Our first work should be to abolish/eradicate Sanatanam instead of opposing it. So, my appreciation to you all for giving an apt title to the meeting“.

He also further went on to say, “What is Sanathanam? The name Sanatanam itself comes from Sanskrit. Sanathanam is opposed to equality and social justice. What is the meaning of Sanatanam? Eternal or something that can’t be changed. Something that can’t be questioned. That is the meaning of Sanatanam.”

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The post TN Police Summons Journo Abhijit Majumder For The Second Time For His Article Criticising Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Comments On Sanathana Dharma appeared first on The Commune.

]]> Another Vocal Netizen Arrested For Opposing Release Of 1998 Coimbatore Blast Terror Convicts https://thecommunemag.com/another-vocal-netizen-arrested-for-opposing-release-of-1998-coimbatore-blast-terror-convict/ Fri, 13 Oct 2023 12:21:56 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=62175 The Tamil Nadu police have arrested yet another netizen for expressing his freedom of speech on social media. This time it is N Muthuramalingam of Dindigul, the State Propaganda Secretary of South India Forward Bloc. While details are awaited, it is alleged that he was arrested by the police for expressing his views on Facebook […]

The post Another Vocal Netizen Arrested For Opposing Release Of 1998 Coimbatore Blast Terror Convicts appeared first on The Commune.

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The Tamil Nadu police have arrested yet another netizen for expressing his freedom of speech on social media. This time it is N Muthuramalingam of Dindigul, the State Propaganda Secretary of South India Forward Bloc.

While details are awaited, it is alleged that he was arrested by the police for expressing his views on Facebook on the release of the terrorists convicted in the 1998 Coimbatore serial blasts case. 

Muthuramalingam in his recent posts had severely criticized the Dravidian parties mooting to the release of 36 prisoners of Muslim community including those who have been convicted for life for the 1998 Coimbatore terror attack.

“Will the terrorist dogs who killed people with bombs get justice? How can people from Edappadi (Palaniswami) to Anbumani (PMK leader) without any conscience become advocates for the release of brutal criminals? You want to kill Advani, you want to kill Vajpayee, you won’t kill them directly but kill innocent people along with them. Why shoul we forgive you?“, he had written in one Facebook post.

In another Facebook post, he allegedly threaten to kill the convicts if they were freed.

He had also condemned the barbaric attacks carried out by Hamas terrorists on Israel.

Selva Kumar, Vice-President of the Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party Industrial Cell took to social media platform X to share the news of the arrest. He wrote, “The Dindigul District Police has arrested my dear friend N.Muthuramalingam (State Policy Propagation Secretary, South India Forward Bloc) who posted a Facebook page condemning the efforts being made in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly to free the terrorists of the Coimbatore blasts. Is the Dravida model government to free the terrorist who blew up in Coimbatore and arrest those who tried to knock him down? Legal assistance to him is being done by Palani Kanakaraj (District President(of Dindigul West) and KC Thirumaran, Founder of South India Forward Bloc Party.”

Netizens called out the government for suppressing voices that speak against it. 

 

Just this year, several netizens were arrested for exercising their freedom of speech. Here is a list:

  • TN BJP Functionary Pravin Raj was arrested in the wee hours of 1 October 2023 for his posts targeting the ruling party and the Congress.
  • The Tamil Nadu police even went up to Noida to try to arrest journalist Abhijit Majumder for his article on Udhayanidhi Stalin’s eradicate Sanathana Dharma remarks. 
  • Critic of the DMK, Badri Seshadri, was arrested for his comments in an interview on a YouTube channel regarding the Manipur issue, during which he made remarks about the Chief Justice of India.
  • The Commune and its directors faced legal action for reporting on the confrontation between Podu Deekshitars of the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple and HR&CE officials.
  • Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary SG Suryah was taken into custody under non-bailable sections for his comments regarding Madurai CPI-M MP Su Venkatesan concerning a sanitation worker’s tragic death during drain cleaning in Pennadam town, Cuddalore district.
  • An AIADMK IT wing member was apprehended under non-bailable sections for sharing a video meme that humorously referenced MK Stalin’s video statement on Senthilbalaji’s arrest. The meme did not contain derogatory content.
  • A Pro-BJP Twitter user was arrested for sharing an old article and allegedly misattributing DMK to an illegal liquor-producing gang in Tiruppur, following the recent hooch tragedy in Marakkanam.
  • A Pro-BJP Twitter user was arrested for sharing an old article and allegedly misattributing DMK to an illegal liquor-producing gang in Tiruppur, following the recent hooch tragedy in Marakkanam.
  • Vice President of Tamil Nadu BJP’s Industrial Cell, Selva Kumar, was arrested for criticizing DMK Minister Senthilbalaji.
  • The admin of Voice of Savukku Shankar X handle was arrested for a video meme targeting CM MK Stalin and DMK Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan regarding the “eligible household” clause in the monthly assistance scheme for women.
  • The DMK government traveled to Gujarat to arrest BJP cadre John Ravi, who had made satirical social media posts about CM MK Stalin and his late father, Karunanidhi.

Several times, Dravidian stocks have called for the genocide of Brahmins and Hindus like their ideologue EV Ramasamy Naicker (Periyar) but no action has been taken against them. 

Here Rajiv Gandhi of the DMK writes that “if the Shudras had done what Periyar had advocated (genocide of Brahmins), then, today people like you would not have reached the stage of having to deal with justice, rights, education, employment and equality! At 3% you are still occupying quite a few places!”.

Here is another Dravidian stock whose post has been screenshot by another netizen where there is a call for the killing of a Hindu. 

There have been several instances wherein supporters of the ruling party have been observed openly criticising the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister, primarily due to her being a Brahmin and a Hindu. Despite such instances, the police or the legal authority has not taken substantial measures to make these individuals accountable for their actions.

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The post Another Vocal Netizen Arrested For Opposing Release Of 1998 Coimbatore Blast Terror Convicts appeared first on The Commune.

]]> TN Police Land Up At Journalist Abhijit Majumder’s Workplace For Criticising Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Comments On Sanathana Dharma https://thecommunemag.com/tn-police-land-up-at-journalist-abhijit-majumders-workplace-for-criticising-udhayanidhi-stalins-comments-on-sanathana-dharma/ Sat, 30 Sep 2023 05:31:25 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=61400 In a shocking turn of events, journalist Abhijit Majumder, has found himself in the Tamil Nadu Police’s crosshairs. The police went all the way to Noida-based media house looking for Abhijit without issuing any summons.  In the early hours of 30 September 2023, Abhijit Majumder took to his social media handle, X, to share a […]

The post TN Police Land Up At Journalist Abhijit Majumder’s Workplace For Criticising Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Comments On Sanathana Dharma appeared first on The Commune.

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In a shocking turn of events, journalist Abhijit Majumder, has found himself in the Tamil Nadu Police’s crosshairs. The police went all the way to Noida-based media house looking for Abhijit without issuing any summons. 

In the early hours of 30 September 2023, Abhijit Majumder took to his social media handle, X, to share a troubling incident. He revealed, “Got a call from the media house I write and do TV for that 4 Tamil Nadu cops came looking for me for a piece I had written criticizing Udhayanidhi Stalin’s call to eradicate Sanatan Dharma. Apparently, an FIR has been filed. Then lawyers, cops. They say Modi is fascist.”

This incident stems from a piece Abhijit had written earlier in September 2023 for FirstPost, where he analysed the political ramifications of a controversial speech delivered by Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.

What Did Udhayanidhi Stalin Say?

To provide context, in September 2023, Udhayanidhi Stalin addressed the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers and Artists’ Association’s conference titled “Eradicate Sanathana Dharma Conference.” During his speech, he made incendiary remarks, stating, “The title of this conference has been excellently coined. You’ve named it ‘Abolish Sanatanam Conference’ and not ‘Oppose Sanatanam Conference’, so my best wishes to that.” He compared Hinduism to mosquitoes and diseases like dengue, flu, malaria, and coronavirus, asserting that these aspects should not be opposed but entirely eradicated. Udhayanidhi Stalin further criticised the concept of Sanatan Dharma, describing it as being opposed to equality and social justice. He questioned the meaning of “Sanatanam” and labelled it as something that cannot be changed or questioned. 

He said, “Mosquitoes, dengue, flu, malaria, corona – we should not oppose these things. They’ve to be eradicated completely. The same is the case with Santanam (Hinduism). Our first work should be to abolish/eradicate Sanatanam instead of opposing it. So, my appreciation to you all for giving an apt title to the meeting“. DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said.

He also further went on to say, “What is Sanathanam? The name Sanatanam itself comes from Sanskrit. Sanathanam is opposed to equality and social justice. What is the meaning of Sanatanam? Eternal or something that can’t be changed. Something that can’t be questioned. That is the meaning of Sanatanam.”

Abhijit’s Article

In his article for FirstPost, Abhijit Majumder discussed how Udhayanidhi Stalin’s controversial speech may have inadvertently benefitted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu. This critical analysis appears to have drawn the ire of the Tamil Nadu government. The article was titled, “Udhayanidhi Stalin’s call for Hindu genocide does BJP a big favour in Tamil Nadu” and it appears that the word “genocide” is the problem here. 

This incident underscores concerns about the state of freedom of expression in Tamil Nadu under the DMK regime. While freedom of speech is a fundamental right in the country, incidents like these raise questions about its practical application, particularly when critical viewpoints are targeted. In fact, there have been a spate of arrests in the last few weeks. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya was booked in a similar case for his tweet in which he had accused the DMK Minister of calling for genocide. 

Here are some other recent instances where the Tamil Nadu police have been actively pursuing individuals critical of the ruling DMK:

  • The Commune and its directors faced legal action for reporting on the confrontation between Podu Deekshitars of the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple and HR&CE officials.
  • Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary SG Suryah was taken into custody under non-bailable sections for his comments regarding Madurai CPI-M MP Su Venkatesan concerning a sanitation worker’s tragic death during drain cleaning in Pennadam town, Cuddalore district.
  • An AIADMK IT wing member was apprehended under non-bailable sections for sharing a video meme that humorously referenced MK Stalin’s video statement on Senthilbalaji’s arrest. The meme did not contain derogatory content.
  • A Pro-BJP Twitter user was arrested for sharing an old article and allegedly misattributing DMK to an illegal liquor-producing gang in Tiruppur, following the recent hooch tragedy in Marakkanam.
  • Vice President of Tamil Nadu BJP’s Industrial Cell, Selva Kumar, was arrested for criticizing DMK Minister Senthilbalaji.
  • The admin of Voice of Savukku Shankar X handle was arrested for a video meme targeting CM MK Stalin and DMK Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan regarding the “eligible household” clause in the monthly assistance scheme for women.
  • The DMK government traveled to Gujarat to arrest BJP cadre John Ravi, who had made satirical social media posts about CM MK Stalin and his late father, Karunanidhi.
  • A member of TTV Dhinakaran’s AMMK was arrested for posting a meme mocking the Tamil Nadu sports ministry led by Udhayanidhi Stalin.
  • Political commentator Kishore K Swamy was detained for posts critical of MK Stalin related to monsoon preparations. Previously, he had been subjected to the Goondas Act for criticizing DMK leaders Karunandhi, Stalin, and Annadurai.
  • DMK critic YouTuber-turned-BJP cadre Karthik Gopinath was arrested for raising funds for temples in Siruvachur, Perambalur district, which had been vandalized by miscreants.
  • BJP supporter and political analyst Krishna Kumar Murugan was arrested in connection with alleged ‘defamatory’ posters caricaturing MK Stalin.
  • YouTuber Maridhas was taken into custody for a video discussing Tablighi Jamaat and a tweet related to the late Chief of Defence Staff Bipin Rawat.
  • Naam Tamilar functionary Ganesh Kumar alias Nila Kannan was apprehended for posting an image of the late DMK leader Karunanidhi being served food by three different women.
  • Critic of the DMK, Badri Seshadri, was arrested for his comments in an interview on a YouTube channel regarding the Manipur issue, during which he made remarks about the Chief Justice of India.

This is a developing story, and further details are awaited in the coming days. 

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The post TN Police Land Up At Journalist Abhijit Majumder’s Workplace For Criticising Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Comments On Sanathana Dharma appeared first on The Commune.

]]> YouTube Removes ‘String’ Channel For Violating ‘Community Guidelines’ https://thecommunemag.com/youtube-removes-string-channel-for-violating-community-guidelines/ Thu, 21 Sep 2023 11:18:20 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=60833 YouTube has once again acted on String channel by deleting the entire channel from its platform. What’s particularly surprising is that String mentioned on their X handle that YouTube deleted their channel without issuing any prior warnings or “strike” or intimation of violation. Instead of issuing strikes for policy violations, YouTube apparently directly deleted the […]

The post YouTube Removes ‘String’ Channel For Violating ‘Community Guidelines’ appeared first on The Commune.

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YouTube has once again acted on String channel by deleting the entire channel from its platform. What’s particularly surprising is that String mentioned on their X handle that YouTube deleted their channel without issuing any prior warnings or “strike” or intimation of violation. Instead of issuing strikes for policy violations, YouTube apparently directly deleted the channel. According to the String team, YouTube’s explanation for this action is that they found severe or repeated violations of their Community Guidelines, which led to the removal of the channel from the platform.

In the email screenshot shared by String, it is mentioned that if YouTube thinks a channel severely violated its policies, they take it down to “protect other users” on the platform. The policy states that “Channels that violate our Community Guidelines or Terms of Service may receive a strike or be terminated. Your existing YouTube channels, new channels you create or acquire, and channels in which you repeatedly or prominently feature will be terminated if you circumvent a strike restriction or previous termination.”

In response to String’s post on X, YouTube responded by saying, “we’re going to pass this along for a closer look”.

On 19 September 2023, String made an announcement about its latest podcast with Vivek Agnihotri, the director of the film, “The Vaccine War” which is slated for release on 28 September 2023.

Following this, the news that the channel was being removed from the platform came to be known. Vivek Agnihotri tweeted, “BIG NEWS: Yesterday @StringReveals announced our podcast on ‘Toolkit Gang’ which was employed by India’s enemies to sabotage Indian Vaccine Project. Fearing the exposé, Toolkit Gang went on to mass report to @YouTube and got the channel deleted without any warning. Free speech messiahs want to silence #TheVaccineWar but they can NEVER silence us. Just wait and watch.”

Agnihotri also shared a post which said, “First, the ‘TOOLKIT GANG’ attacked Bharat’s own vaccine, few days ago they targeted scientists who made this vaccine and now they want to silence a podcast with @StringReveals  on our scientist’s war with ‘toolkit gang’. You decide who would win this war.”

He posted this after several journalists and leftist handles talked down the trailer, calling it a propaganda film. He said the journalists who called India-made Covaxin as substandard and defamed the vaccine during the critical period of the pandemic. A case filed against her ensured she deleted the 14 fake/defamatory articles she had written.

https://twitter.com/PriyankaPulla/status/1702638392788619347

String led by Vinodh Kumar puts videos on important issues of national and international relevance attacking leftists with their detailed exposes.

This is not the first time YouTube has acted on String for their content. In 2021, YouTube pulled down a video that exposed the content of the Greta Thunberg Toolkit and included the names of various media outlets, journalists, and ‘activists.’ The reason cited for this removal by the video-sharing platform is “harassment and bullying.”

In this video, Vinodh, the host of String, elucidated the connections between institutions funded by George Soros, specific Indian media organizations, and certain ‘activists.’ He explained how they were involved in a coordinated social media campaign related to the ‘farmers’ protest, with support both from within and outside India.

The video also shed light on DIGIPUB, an association of media entities such as The Wire, Scroll, The Quint, The News Minute, Newslaundry, Alt News, etc., and how these media organisations and their associated journalists were mentioned in Greta’s ‘tool kit,’ which aimed to conduct a questionable propaganda against India.

Furthermore, the video revealed how a foreign individual named Annalisa Merelli had endorsed these media outlets to receive funds just days before Greta Thunberg shared the toolkit. String’s exposé had garnered significant attention, amassing several hundred thousand views and gaining notice from prominent figures. However, YouTube removed the video due to “violating YouTube’s policy on harassment and bullying.” The removal appears to have occurred after numerous reports were made against it.

Last time, the video was deleted, however, this time the entire String channel has been removed from the platform. 

Some YouTubers like Shambhav Sharma came out in support of String team.

 

It is ironical that despite numerous reports and complaints, YouTube still continues to host channels that disseminate separatist content, spread misinformation, and make derogatory remarks about the religious beliefs of the majority Hindu community. Channels like Dhruv Rathee have been known to propagate false information while channels like U2 Brutus that share videos making derogatory comments about Hindu deities and scriptures have been given a free pass.

The question now remains whether the String channel will be reinstated after an appeal or will remain permanently deleted.

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The post YouTube Removes ‘String’ Channel For Violating ‘Community Guidelines’ appeared first on The Commune.

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