BBC Punjabi's Twitter account withheld amid crackdown on Amritpal Singh
What's the story
The Twitter account of BBC Punjabi, one of the leading news outlets in Punjab, was withheld "in response to a legal demand" amid a crackdown on Khalistan separatist Amritpal Singh. Although no official reason for the move was given, some media reports claimed the action against the international news service came for "spreading misinformation on law and order situation in Punjab and anti-India propaganda."
Context
Why does this story matter?
With the manhunt being launched to nab pro-Khalistan preacher Singh, Punjab witnessed an internet shutdown to preserve law and order. Over the last 10 days, the government has banned the social media accounts of several Punjab-based journalists and prominent members of the Sikh community. Meanwhile, the Centre has also been at loggerheads with the BBC regarding a documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Block
Twitter blocked 122 accounts at government's request
Earlier this month, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry blocked six Punjabi language YouTube channels, alleging they were run from abroad and were trying to create unrest in India. Last week, Twitter blocked around 122 accounts of journalists, authors, and politicians at the legal request of the Indian government. On Thursday, the government asked Twitter to block 29 more accounts, as per the Lumen Database.
Press freedom
Account of journalists critical of BJP government blocked
Notably, the blocked Twitter accounts belonged to journalists Pieter Friedrich, Sandeep Singh, Kamaldeep Singh Brar, and Gagandeep Singh. Others included Canadian politician Jagmeet Singh and poet Rupi Kaur, apart from Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) MP and Khalistan supporter Simranjit Singh Mann. Reporters Without Borders last year ranked India 150 out of 180 nations on press freedom, which the Centre disagreed with.
BBC
BBC offices in India were subjected to I-T raids
The BBC said it has written to the Indian government regarding the ban, however, it hasn't received any response yet. To note, the corporation was also in the public eye last month when the Income Tax Department raided its offices, alleging discrepancies in tax returns. The raids came weeks after the government banned the controversial BBC documentary on PM Modi, calling it colonial propaganda.