SHILLONG, APR 27: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today questioned a newly inducted member of the United Democratic Party (UDP) for his alleged attempt to defend prospective offenders who are engaging in spreading misinformation about the BJP through social media.
This came after UDP Shillong City chief organizer Joe Marwein recently termed the BJP as immature for its decision to file a complaint as he was of the opinion that it will only affect the right to freedom of expression of the people.
Reacting strongly in a statement issued here on Thursday, BJP vice president and spokesman Edmund Sangma said, “Rationality, in fact, fails to understand as to why Marwein has taken up the cudgel for defending those prospective offenders? Why he is so scared!”
Stating the personal bias of Marwein against BJP is quite perceptible, Sangma said this is from the fact that he has failed to understand the judiciousness of the comment of BJP vice president JA Lyngdoh pertaining to filing of FIR against some people deliberately engaged in tarnishing the party image with mala fide intention of misleading the electorate for ulterior gain ahead of assembly election next year by circulating falsehood and morphed photographs through social media which constitutes offence(s) under relevant laws in the country and thus inviting punishment thereto.
“Hence, demanding action against such offenders who are out to pollute or vitiate the society is legally justifiable and socially correct step for which Lyngdoh deserves to be hailed by the people at large,” he added.
Reminding that every constitutional and legal right are accompanied by duties as well, he said that the contradiction of Marwein is further evident from the fact that while he vouches India to be a free country with freedom of expression, he is out to negate the same to others.
The BJP leader also stated that evidently, Marwein has grossly misconstrued the very essence of the freedom of expression which encourages diverse and constructive criticism based on facts and not necessarily biased, mala fide and malicious propaganda to be justified under the garb of it.
“Thus, Marwein may do well to enlighten himself by reading the relevant explanations on the freedom of speech and its sanctity given by constitutional experts so that he can restrain himself from abusing the same in future,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Sangma pointed out that in Varanasi a new Government order issued that fake news story and videos deemed offensive posted on the group especially inciting religious sentiment can now land in jail.
Likewise Police had already made a crackdown in Andhara Pradesh , Maharastra, Varanasi and some culprits had been arrested, he added.
+ There are no comments
Add yours