The official Twitter account of the Indian National Congress (@INCIndia) was hacked on Thursday morning, a day after hackers broke into party vice-president Rahul Gandhi`s account (@OfficeofRG).
Some messages laden with expletives and profanities were posted on it.
Reacting to the latest incident, Congress Communication Department in charge Randeep Singh Surjewala said that “free speech and right to disagree in India is under attack by licensed trolls”.
“Such despotic and vulgar attempts reflect the extremities of an intolerant culture that resorts to abuse when cornered and left answer less.”
He added that the cyber bullying should be “An eye opener for Modiji!”
Rahul Gandhi’s Twitter account was hacked on Wednesday night and some obscene were put out online for around an hour.
The hackers had also removed Rahul’s profile picture and changed the account title.
The Congress has, meanwhile, filed a complaint with the Cyber cell of Delhi Police on the hacking of its vice president’s Twitter account.
However, Rahul Gandhi tweeted after his account @OfficeOfRG was restored: “To everyone of you haters out there: I love all of you. You’re beautiful. Your hatred just doesn’t let you see it yet.(sic)”
The complaint was filed by party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala, demanding strict action against those behind the hacking.
After the hacking, Congress raised questions on the digital safety of all Indians and said it reflects disturbing insecurities of the prevalent “fascist culture” in the country.
Gandhi’s account was hacked around 8.45 pm and some messages with profanities were put out, but these were deleted soon thereafter.
On the other hand, after restoration of the Congress Twitter handle @INCIndia, they tweeted: “Hello everyone! We are back. The tweets in the morning lacked wit, evidently. Anyway, Mr Modi, back to people’s questions, care to answer?”(sic)
The Congress has vehemently denied reports that the hacking of Rahul Gandhi’s Twitter account was an insider job.
The BJP meanwhile sought to downplay the hacking of the Twitter account of the main Opposition party’s national vice-president by saying no one took the Congress party or Rahul seriously.
“Is Rahul Gandhi’s Twitter account SPG protected?” quipped Rajyavardhan Rathore, Minister of state for information and broadcasting.
