Recently, the Madras High Court said that the rise of digital media and unfettered, unverified statements on social media were undermining India’s reputation and eroding respect for “mother India” among other nations.
Justice M. Dhandapani ordered the Tamil Nadu government (TN government) to form special cells after receiving complaints over “wrong and dishonest” posts and unconfirmed news. The order was issued on October 18.
A specific cell designated for tracking offenders posting “filthy and insulting” words or films online—or both—had been established in each Station House at the district and state levels by order of the court in January 2020. State representatives, constitutional functionaries, or even regular people.
The TN Electronics Corporation informed the Court during the matter’s October 18 hearing that it had received tenders for the purchase of equipment for monitoring social media and that the tenders would be launched in a week.
The Court agreed with the assertion and ordered the State to act right away to make the specific cells and purchase the necessary equipment.
The said statement is recorded and the respondents are directed to take steps for procuring the equipment upon opening of the tender and establish the Special Cells at the earliest, as the matter has been on board of this Court for more than a year and half without much progress having been made in the constitution and functioning of the Special Cells, which were directed to be constituted,”
The Court Held
[Read Order]
