New Delhi: Hinting at a leadership change in the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Uttarakhand government can land one in trouble. In a move that has triggered a political row in the BJP-ruled state, the Uttarakhand Police has said action will be taken against those spreading rumours about a change of guard in the state, saying such misinformation disrupts the ongoing relief and rescue operations and affects the overall government functioning.
The Dehradun police last week registered a case against unnamed suspects on a complaint by a ruling BJP leader, triggering an Opposition backlash with the Congress attacking the government over what they termed an attempt to muzzle the media.
In his complaint, Dehradun district BJP president Siddharth Umesh Agrawal alleged the “misinformation and rumours” were causing “unrest and confusion” in the society at a time the state is battling spells of natural disasters.
The Opposition, however, slammed the government, saying this is an effort to stifle dissent and criticism.
“It is simply a tool to silence those who are criticising the government and the chief minister. Speculations are always made and there could be speculations about changing CMs or even PMs. The current dispensation wants that no one criticises the chief minister and they don’t report anything about his constituency otherwise the police pounce upon them,” former Uttarakhand chief minister Harish Singh Rawat told ThePrint.
“We condemn filing FIRs, or registering cases against the Facebook page administrators, any journalist or social activist for that matter,” Rawat added.
In the FIR, a copy of which is with ThePrint, Agrawal complained that some people are spreading “rumours and misinformation” through social media photos and videos. The Facebook pages named in his complaint are: Janta Jan Andolan Irritated, Uttarakhand Wale and I love my Uttarakhand Sanskriti.
Agarwal has written in his complaint, which formed the basis of the FIR, that at a time the state is suffering disasters, such false news and rumours are not only spoiling the atmosphere of society and creating unrest, but they can also adversely affect the image of public personalities.
“In such circumstances, I request you to take immediate action against these people so that the spread of this false news can be stopped and peace is maintained in society,” he said in his complaint written in Hindi.
Without specifically mentioning the “rumours” and “misinformation” about a leadership change, he said these posts are spreading rapidly on social media sites like Facebook, YouTube and Instagram with a large number of people sharing them, generating misconceptions.
“Please identify those spreading these rumours and misinformation, and take appropriate legal action and ensure strong measures to deal with such incidents in future,” he said.
In a statement Saturday, the Uttarakhand police said they have initiated action against those spreading misleading and false news on social media. It also said a case has been filed against those spreading rumours about the chief minister’s replacement, as it is affecting disaster relief and government functioning.
“Amid disaster relief efforts in the state, Uttarakhand Police has gone into action mode against those spreading rumours related to the chief minister’s replacement. The police have now started tightening the noose on elements who are misleading the public by broadcasting misleading and false information on social media,” the police statement said.
It said that the Dehradun Police registered a case against three Facebook page operators on Saturday. “This action has been taken based on a complaint letter submitted by BJP District President Dehradun, Mr. Siddharth Agarwal,” the statement said.
Bageshwar, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Pithoragarh districts in the state are currently facing disasters caused by rain, flash floods and landslides. Several people have been killed and many are missing. Cloudbursts have also damaged houses and resulted in residents being stranded.
“In such a difficult time, spreading false news such as the chief minister being changed not only disrupts relief and rescue operations but also affects government functioning and administrative systems,” said the police statement.
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‘Why target media’
Uttarakhand Congress spokesperson Garima Dasauni said many BJP leaders themselves have been hinting at a cabinet expansion, but mediapersons have been accused of spreading rumours.
“The BJP’s own state president has given statements about expanding the cabinet and till date it has not happened. So why don’t you file an FIR against him for misleading the people? The issue of change of guard, leadership change is an issue that is, in fact, being hinted at by the BJP’s own leaders and functionaries. Naturally, the stories reflected that,” she said.
“Why target media persons when your own leaders have been saying this all along,” she asked.
The FIR was registered under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and sub-sections 353(1)(b) and (2) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita that criminalises publishing or circulation of any statement, false information, rumour, or report, including through electronic means.
While Agrawal named three Facebook pages in his complaint, the FIR was filed against unnamed people, as the scope of the police investigation is not limited to these three pages. Instead, all such social media accounts and pages are under the scanner, sources in the Uttarakhand Police told ThePrint.
Even as the police maintained the FIR was filed to check the spread of misinformation and rumour in the state, a senior retired IPS officer from the state sees it as a “mockery” of the rule of law.
“It has to be a joke to book the public for such posts. This is a gross abuse of law at the expense of the public’s right,” the retired DG-rank officer told ThePrint, requesting anonymity.
The officer said the FIR will not stand judicial scrutiny, but when the court scrutinises it the accused will have to go through months of hassle.
Uttarakhand BJP media incharge Manveer Singh Chauhan defended the government action. “We are not against anyone, whether it is journalists or social media activists. They have full freedom to operate in the state,” he said. “But at the same time, they have a responsibility. Some posts have been published merely to destabilise the government and mislead the people of the state. This definitely will not be tolerated. And, hence, action has been taken.”
Singh said some of the statements of the Uttarakhand BJP leaders are being twisted at the behest of the opposition and presented in a negative light to suggest all is not well within the party.
He cited the example of Lok Sabha MP Trivendra Singh Rawat leaving a recent BJP meeting midway after arriving at the venue, visuals of which had gone viral.
“Rawatji has himself clarified that he took permission from the state president and then left the meeting. The incident was twisted to help the opposition run a narrative against the BJP and the government,” he added.
The Uttarakhand Police also appealed to the public to refrain from spreading any kind of unverified or misleading information on social media.
“A clear warning is also issued to social media miscreants that if they spread rumours or make misleading posts, strict legal action will be taken against them as well. The state police are constantly monitoring these social media accounts,” Dehradun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajai Singh told ThePrint.
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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