‘Shaming Its Own Leaders’: Telangana's Congress Govt Under Fire For Invoking UAPA Against Handle |
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New Delhi: The Telangana police have invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against the social media handle TeluguScribe, prompting allegations of state overreach and the suppression of political dissent.
The State Intelligence Department issued a legal notice to X Corp in Texas, seeking the account registration information, usage logs and activity details of the handle @TeluguScribe. The handle is widely recognised for amplifying the narratives of the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), frequently platforming protests by leaders like Harish Rao and highlighting civic failures to corner the ruling Congress party.
The notice, dated April 18, was issued by R. Bhaaskaran, deputy inspector general of police with the Intelligence Department. The police submitted the request under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Section 43F of the UAPA, an anti-terror statute.
Section 94 pertains to summons to produce documents and electronic communications, and Section 43F relates to furnishing information to the police in UAPA cases.
According to the notice, the police allege the handle uses “highly objectionable and filthy language along with morphed videos and photos” to defame the public and undermine the dignity of public figures. The state argues the content has the potential to incite hatred and public unrest.
The invocation of the UAPA marks an escalation by the state. TeluguScribe alleged that the Congress government lodged nearly 70 FIRs against it over the past two and a half years. According to reports, some of these invoke provisions of the BNS and the Information Technology Act for allegedly promoting enmity, inciting public mischief and publishing obscene content.
By invoking an anti-terror statute and demanding data logs directly from X, the police are ostensibly attempting to unmask the handle’s operators.
TeluguScribe issued a statement on Thursday (April 23) condemning the police action. The handle noticeably avoided using the word........