TGCSB notice to X sparks political row, BRS alleges Congress censorship
HYDERABAD: A legal notice from the Telangana State Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) to social media giant X (formerly Twitter) has sparked a political firestorm. The opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) alleges it is blatant censorship by the Congress government to protect a minister from scandalous allegations.
The notice, issued by Superintendent of Police Harshvardhan, IPS, cites the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). It instructs X Corp. to remove a specific post by BRS leader Krishan Manne and warns that non-compliance may result in the loss of the platform’s safe harbour immunity as an intermediary.
The post in question shares a promotional video from the Telugu news channel Raj News. The teaser asks, “Who is that Congress Minister harassing women officials and even a senior woman journalist?” and announces that the “Off the Record” show will reveal further details during an upcoming Saturday evening broadcast.
According to the police notice, the post contains false and manipulated content targeting a public official and spreads derogatory and misleading rumours that could disrupt public order. The notice cites possible violations under the IT Act, including impersonation and publishing harmful material, as well as BNS sections related to forged content and obstruction of a public servant.
BRS rebuke
BRS leader Krishan Manne and former Telangana Digital Media director Konatham Dileep have criticized the police action, describing it as a misuse of state machinery.
“Sad that IPS officers are being used to block X accounts in the so-called Praja Paalana (People’s Governance) of the Congress Government,” Manne stated. “For posting this video telecasted by Raj News Channel, now we really wonder who is that Congress Minister misbehaving with a senior woman journalist and wants this content to be removed.(sic)”
His statement challenges the government’s position, suggesting that a Congress minister is implicated in the upcoming story and that the police are acting to suppress its release.
Meanwhile, Konatham Dileep, taking to X(formerly twitter) wrote “A television channel did an investigative story on how a Congress minister is harassing female officials and journalists. Instead of ordering an enquiry and removing that monster, the Revanth Reddy government has launched a witch hunt!”
He further added, “We will not be cowed down by such repressive tactics and will ensure every citizen of the state and country knows about this pervert Congress Minister!(sic)”
