Youth unhappy with the government’s decision to take action against those users who like or forward the derogatory posts uploaded on social media.
Youth who use social networking sites like facebook, twitter etc to express their opinions about current issues have a reason to worry if they like or forward derogatory comments posted on these websites. After a spate of violence incidents following the murder of information technology professional Mohsin Shaikh in Pune, Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil is planning to take action against those persons who spread hate and violence by posting offensive comments and photos on social media. However, even those users will be in trouble who like or forward these posts. Earlier Shaheen Dhada and Renu Srinivasan were arrested for posting a comment on facebook questioning the bandh imposed in Mumbai after Bal Thackeray’s death. Youth are worried about the repeat of the same incident in future if the government takes action against those users who only like the derogatory comments. Many youth were unhappy with the government’s decision and were expressing their views on social networking sites.
Chetan Kadam a FYBsc student from Kandivali and a regular user of social networking sites said, “The Indian constitution has granted Freedom of speech and expression to every citizen. If the government takes action against netizens for liking derogatory comments then it is only curbing the citizens right to free speech.”
Jayesh Satam a media professional from Andheri said, “The government must first govern the state properly and take action against miscreants for spreading false rumours instead of monitoring the content on social media.
Gopal Bhoricha a TY Bcom student from Kandivali said, “Social networking sites are a platform for every person to express his views freely. However, after the government’s recent directive to take action against the netizens for liking or forwarding objectionable comments will create panic among youth.”
Jyoti Panchal a PR executive from Malad said, “I have a habit of tweeting my comments on social networking sites. I am very active on these sites. Hence forth I will be more cautious prior to posting or liking any comments on facebook and twitter.”
Trouble had begun once again in Pune, Nashik and Kolhapur Sunday night after posts with derogatory references to B R Ambedkar were uploaded on Facebook. Angry locals allegedly belonging to a political party vandalised state-run buses in these places.
“Social media is used all over the world. It is used for good purposes but anti-social elements are using it for evil purposes as seen from recent incidents in Maharashtra,” Patil said.
“Those who “like” and forward objectionable content are in a way siding with the culprits and in the next few days, you will see stringent action taken against them,” he said, adding, “People are reacting to the content on social media. It is seen that social media is being misused extensively.”
“No one can say that somebody else has misused his or her mobile as the responsibility is of the owner of the mobile,” he said.
He also said the government would see if there was a need for a separate legislation to prevent such misuse of the social media.
