Telangana HC Seeks Centre's Response In Plea Against Publication Of Communal Content On Social Media
The Telangana High Court on Thursday directed the Central Government to file its reply in the plea against circulation of communally painted content on social media platforms in India. The Bench of Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy directed the Addl. Solicitor General of India to file replies of Union Cabinet Secretary and Union...
The Telangana High Court on Thursday directed the Central Government to file its reply in the plea against circulation of communally painted content on social media platforms in India.
The Bench of Chief Justice Raghvendra Singh Chauhan and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy directed the Addl. Solicitor General of India to file replies of Union Cabinet Secretary and Union Home Secretary, Government of India by October 18, 2020.
The order was passed in a plea against trending of "communal hashtags" on US-based micro blogging platform, Twitter.
Whereas the company has filed its reply in the matter and has also removed the impugned hashtags, the Petitioner insisted before the Court that the counter affidavit of the Central Government is essential for proper adjudication and in view of the relief sought by him.
The Petitioner-Advocate, Mr. Khaja Aijazuddin has sought a restraint on all websites in India from carrying "islamophobic" posts, that have the potential to hurt the sentiments of the Muslim community.
Significantly, the Court had issued notice to the Central Government in June this year seeking its counter affidavit. However, no reply has been filed till date.
Speaking to LiveLaw, the Petitioner said that if the Union Government fails to file their counters as directed by the High Court, he shall be left with no option and the only remedy will be to move a Contempt Petition against them.
The matter is now listed for hearing on October 19, 2020.
Case Title: Khaja Aiiazuddin v. Union of India & Ors.
Case No.: WP (PIL) No. l34/2020