'Social Media A Tool For Wide Communication Of Hate & Terror; Dark Web Poses Threat' : SG Defends Kashmir Internet Ban

The three judge bench of Supreme Court comprising Justices NV Ramana, Subhash Reddy and BR Gavai resumed hearing petitions regarding the communication lockdown in Jammu & Kashmir since August 5, 2019, with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta explaining the need to impose restrictions through Section 144 of CrPC in the State. "If some people are creating trouble, why can't they be prevented?...Segregating those people from those who needed to be protected was difficult, so a general order in such a situation was warranted", he said. Referring to the Babulal Parate judgment, he responded to the petitioners' assertion that despite nothing happening, restrictions were imposed by submitting that the actions were necessary and justified to prevent crime and breach of peace in the region.Restrictions preventive measures "This is a preventive measure, not a remedy, in order to protect human life and security, and to ensure that the law and order situation doesn't deteriorate", he stated. Referring to the case of State of Karnataka Vs Dr Praveen Togadia, the Solicitor General submitted that prohibitory orders were needed as few people may incite the public through inflammatory speeches and other actions. The apex court had reversed Karnataka High Court's decision to interfere with the order of Sec 144 in larger public interest in that case, he informed to submit that the provision empowers authorities to pass orders in urgent cases. He asserted that the government was aware of the situation and acted accordingly since "we are fighting enemies from across the border."Political leaders inciting troubles Admitting that political leaders have the freedom of speech and expression, he then took the court through a number of speeches, statements and tweets of political leaders from J&K. Quoting various statements made by PDP's Mehbooba Mufti, National Conference's Farooq Abdullah, Congress's Ghulam Nabi Azad from the time when there was speculation over the abrogation of Art. 370/35A, it was stated that such statements would stir sentiments and incite people. This justified the internet ban, submitted Mehta while clarifying that the internet was never banned everywhere in J&K.On July 28, Mehbooba Mufti @MehboobaMufti said "we want to tell the central govt tinkering with article 35A will result in the whole body being burnt. We cannot forget sacrifices of our martyrs. PDP will stand for special status of Kashmir. Hands, body will be burnt"SG cites— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) November 26, 2019SG- continues to list out speeches and statements.#KashmirMufti @MehboobaMufti "All leaders and workers should unite against removal of 35A. NC, PDP or INC - we need to keep our differences aside and sacrifice life & property to protect J&K special status."— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) November 26, 2019SG says these are some of the many things posted on social media, which stir sentiments and incite people, which justifies govt banning internet. Clarifies that internet was never banned everywhere in j&k#Kashmir— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) November 26, 2019Social media a tool for spreading hate; Dark web posed threat "Newspaper is also a form of communication, it is one sided communication…Landline is one to one…Social media however is uncontrolled…I can convey a message to someone and it will multiply…The use of hashtags ensure multiplication by tens of thousands", explained Mehta. He further added that Pakistan has said that they will provide internet to keep the issue burning. Upon being questioned about hashtags, ASG Vikramjit Banerjee attempted to explain what it is to the bench and the SG quoted certain handles which used provocative hashtags. Justice Ramana then asked whether access could be granted to few selective sites and Mehta said, "it cant be segregated…Either we can grant full access or not…Cannot separate sites". He also informed the bench that internet restrictions have already been lifted at many places and that many software companies in Srinagar had been given access. The Solicitor continued to quote some more inciting statements from certain alleged Pakistani handles. So these form the basis of imposing restrictions?, asked J Reddy. Yes, responded the SG. In light of this situation, any magistrate who did not take this decision (impose restrictions under S.144) would have been in dereliction of duty as non-state actors as well as politicians have tried to create an issue for all these years. "These were exceptional situations. Measures were needed." He further insisted that least restrictive measures were imposed as individual movement was never restricted but only public congregation wasn't allowed. Moving on, Justice Ramana asked about media restrictions and whether they had been given any special permission. Yes, responded Mehta, since August 7, and stated that there was internet in the media convention center. The SG then reiterated his submission that social media is a tool for wide communication of hate and...

'Social Media A Tool For Wide Communication Of Hate & Terror; Dark Web Poses Threat' : SG Defends Kashmir Internet Ban

Nilashish Chaudhary

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