Adityanath calls social media a 'belagaam ghoda' without 'mai baap'

LUCKNOW, Aug 8: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has described the social media as a "belagaam ghoda" (unbridled horse. He called for IT training of BJP workers to take on the digital platforms which have no “mai baap” (master).

The Chief Minister clarified that the social media has no geographical identity and nobody seems to be accountable for what is published on the platforms by unidentified people. He called upon the party workers to counter the misinformation campaigns launched by political opponents.

He said the social media was being misused by opponents to create social tension, caste conflict and lawlessness in the country.

It may be recalled that it was in this background that the Centre had brought in regulations to make the platforms accountable for what is circulated maliciously. He said that, on the contrary, the print and television media had identifiable owners and editors to account for what is put out.

Speaking at an IT workshop organised by the BJP, a furious Yogi said the social media is often misused by vested interests to vitiate the atmosphere. He referrred to the Pegasus issue which was preplanned to be raised just before the Parliament session. Yogi remarked that these digital facilities have the potential to create issues out of nothing.

Meanwhile, five people have been arrested for defaming judges through social media. The first arrest was made on July 9 last month and the latest were made on Saturday. The CBI had so far examined 11 accused. Two of the arrested people allegedly posted defamatory content against Andhra Pradesh High Court judges.

Chief Justice NV Ramana had remarked on Friday that the investigating agencies "do not help at all" when judges complain and the "CBI has shown no change in its attitude". He said this when the court took up the recent murder of a Jharkhand district judge, Uttam Anand, in Ranchi.

"In high profile cases involving gangsters, abusive messages on WhatsApp and Facebook are sent to Judges to mentally harass them," Chief Justice Ramana said.

"The CBI has done nothing. We have expected some change in the CBI's attitude but there is no change. Sorry to say, this is the situation," he said. When judges complain to the CBI and the Intelligence Bureau on threats, they do not respond, Chief Justice Ramana said.

He said, "Investigating agencies do not help at all and I am making this statement with some sense of responsibility. I am not divulging more. Something has to be done."

District judge Uttam Anand was killed on July 28 when an auto rammed him while he was on his morning walk near his colony in Ranchi.