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Article

10 Jun 2020

Author:
Scroll.in

India: Human rights activist's social media account blocked by authorities after allegedly suggesting groups engage in protests

"Journalist Aakar Patel’s Twitter account blocked in India week after allegedly calling for protests", 11 June 2020

Microblogging site Twitter...blocked journalist Aakar Patel’s account in India, a week after a first information report was filed against him for allegedly suggesting that marginalised groups of Indians should emulate the protests currently on in the United States against the police’s killing of an African American man named George Floyd.

In a notice to Patel, the microblogging site said that his account violated Indian laws and would be blocked for users in the country, but will remain operational outside India. Twitter added that it was in touch with authorities in India, who demanded that his account be blocked.

Patel told Scroll.in that he has not been informed about who sought action or about the allegations against him, adding that this ensured he cannot seek legal recourse in this situation...

...Patel was booked under sections 505 (1) (b) (with intent to cause, or which is likely to cause fear or alarm to the public, or to any section of the public whereby any person may be induced to commit an offence against the state or public tranquility), 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) and 117 (abetting commission of an offence by the public or by more than ten persons) of the Indian Penal Code by the Bengaluru Police...