Kumar Vikram By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis Tuesday justified action against a police constable from Ahmednagar district for his social media posts saying that the government won't

tolerate such posts against it by its own employees. He also justified the action against 11 youth for their social media posts.

Justifying the suspension of police constable Ramesh Shinde in Ahmednagar district, Fadnavis said his conduct on social media has been under observation for over two months. He has posted more than

200 objectionable posts during this period. "He is the brother of a Congress leader and was carrying out a campaign for the political leader over social media," Fadnavis said. "The decision (to suspend the constable) was not taken suddenly. Over a period of two months, he had posted not only against the PM, but other leaders as well. The government will not tolerate any posts against it by its own employees, else there will be anarchy," he said.

Government service rules do not allow its employees to criticise the government, Fadnavis added.

Asserting that his government was not averse to criticism, Fadnavis said summons was issued only against youth who attempted to create social unrest.

The action by the state government had attracted severe criticism among political circles. While NCP president Sharad Pawar had criticised the government saying he is with the youth who are expressing

themselves against the government, the Shiv Sena too had lashed out at the government over the proposed legislation to clamp down on criticism against it on social media.

"I have seen Sharad Pawar's statement and have sent him all the details. People keep writing against us, we are not averse to criticism. However, the 11 youngsters, against whom summons had been issued, had written in very foul language about several great personalities, including Shivaji Maharaj and Dr (Babasaheb) Ambedkar.

This was clearly an attempt to create animosity between sections of the society," Fadnavis said while

interacting with the media at his official residence 'Varsha' on the occasion of Diwali.

"Summons was also issued to those who had liked or forwarded posts that were aimed at creating social unrest. There is no reason to let them go scot free," he added.