Cong MP Rajeev Gowda Raises Issue of Social Media Censorship in RS

Gowda said that accounts of many Dalit activists have been suspended by social media platforms.

Congress MP Rajeev Gowda.

(Photo: The Quint)

Senior Congress MP Rajeev Gowda on Thursday, 28 November raised the issue of social media platforms “censoring” user-generated content.

Raising the matter during Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, Gowda said that accounts of a prominent lawyer, journalist and Dalit activists have been suspended by social media platforms.

“What we see here is that there is a structural problem out there with unregulated Internet platforms. They need to bring in some guidelines so we have a clear sense of what is allowed and what is not and appeal mechanisms...otherwise we are seeing free speech subject to private censorship,” said the Congress MP.

Referring to a report, he also said the Indian government sends most number of requests for take down of content to variety of Internet intermediaries.

“We want to know from the government on what basis these take downs are taking place. These all are shrouded in secrecy,” said Gowda.

‘Numbers of Policy Holders Declining Due to Lack of Trust’

Another senior Congress MP Digvijaya Singh said the number of policy holders of LIC has reduced to 29 crore from 33 crore during 2014-19 (NDA-1) and stressed “mistrust” in public institutions among masses was on the rise.

He said that millions of Indians invest their savings in LIC and it is a ray of hope for them.

Singh said reserves of public sector units and RBI were being taken to improve the deteriorating financial condition of the central government.

“Because of lack of trust, the number of policy holders was declining,” he said.

In his Zero Hour mention, PL Punia (Congress) highlighted the plight of Indians caught for illegally staying in foreign countries and kept in detention centers.

He asked the government to provide legal help and make efforts to bring them back.

Punia also sought strict action against agents who illegally send Indians to foreign lands.