Twitter a/c blocked: 4 reasons why @kanchangupta enraged

India

oi-Nairita

New Delhi, Aug 23: Indian government cracked the whip on social media by blocking many webpages including Twitter accounts which allegedly contain morphed and inflammatory contents.

The government asserted that they have started regulating the social networking sites in the wake of recent hullabaloos in the country in connection with Assam violence and mass North-East exodus.

Two famous journalists - Kanchan Gupta, who until a few months ago was with the Pioneer newspaper and now the editor of Niticentral.com, and Shiv Aroor, a deputy editor with Headlines Today news channel were among those whose Twitter accounts have been blocked.

Mr Gupta was upset with the government's decision and expressed his rage against it. While talking with OneIndia, Mr Gupta expressed his disappointment with the central government who seems to have failed to control the situation in the country.

Mr Gupta took up some instances which made him upset. Here are the four reasons in Mr Gupta's own words:

I am enraged because it is a blow to freedom or liberty as guaranteed by Constitution. I have never broken any law. I have served with distinction the Govt of India at home and abroad. My country looks like a banana republic in popular perception. What can be sadder than to get messages from Pakistan asking if all was fine? Ironically, the answer is No?"

While he was asked to explain the possible reasons of being blocked on Twitter, Mr Gupta said, "We were being belligerent on Assam. Really because we were blaming Govt for failing to handle Assam and its fallout in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, etc."

"This is a political decision to hit back at a soft target. With 25k+ followers, they think by silencing me they will be silencing an influential voice or opinion that does not toe Govt line," added the journalist.

Meanwhile, Aroor cracked a joke on the issue saying, "Damn, my nose is also blocked now."

With the help of internet service providers (ISPs), the government has blocked the Twitter accounts. The web users, while trying to access their Twitter accounts, see a message saying, "This website/URL has been blocked until further notice either pursuant to Court orders or on the Directions issued by the Department of Telecommunications."

However, the blocking of Twitter account seems to be partial. Mr Gupta said, "I am able to access my account and tweet."

Following the ban, many Twitter users on Thursday, Aug 23 started using hash tags such as - #Emergency2012 and #GOIBlocks.

OneIndia News