Attention!! Attention!! Sharing Provocative, Communal Messages On Social Media Can Land You In Jail

8950000946 – In case you are living in Delhi-NCR, this is the number you need save in your mobile phone today! No, this is not about any lucrative scheme. This is the Delhi government’s special helpline number that can help you in fighting the menace of inflammatory messages on the social media after the communal violence. The WhatsApp number was issued by the Delhi State Assembly’s ‘Committee on Peace and Harmony’. In the advertisements published in the national dailies on Thursday, the officials have urged the people to remain vigilant about provocative messages. “Attention! Sharing inflammatory messages on WhatsApp can land you in jail for three years,” the ad said. “If you find anyone sharing communally inflammatory messages or video on WhatsApp or any social media (Facebook, twitter, Instagram, etc) then immediately send the screenshot or the video to us on the number,” the circular added. Also, if an FIR is lodged on the basis of the complaint, the person will be get a reward of Rs 10,000. 

Swaraj India leader and senior political expert Yogendra Yadav took a dig at the authorities over the WhatsApp helpline. “But delivering inflammatory speeches in public with a police officer standing next to you will get you Y-security. @DelhiPolice has its priorities set right,” Yadav said on the micro-blogging site. Yadav was refereeing to the recent development over increased security cover for BJP’s Kapil Mishra, who is known for making several controversial speeches.

Mishra has been in limelight since his call for pro-CAA march in North-East Delhi just a day before the riots erupted in the region. Many people have accused Mishra of instigating the violence. The Delhi BJP leader who lost the state elections last month from Model Town constituency has defended himself saying that he never wanted any kind of violence but was against people blocking roads in name of protests.

The worst violence that National Capital has witnessed in last four decades, 48 people have died and nearly 300 have been injured. A strange disquiet looms over the areas of North-East Delhi. An Aaj Tak report said that the civic authorities recovered 20 tonnes of bricks and stones from the roads of the area. The Home Minister is facing extra scrutiny as the Delhi Police comes under his purview. The Opposition has repeatedly raised allegations against the Delhi Police for its apathy and inaction during the peak of Delhi riots. A civic society report found out that hundreds of distress calls by panicked residents were not answered by the cops for nearly 72 hours.

(With agency inputs)