The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Tuesday said it had blocked apps, website and social media accounts of Punjab Politics TV.
The Ministry said the channel had close links with the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), and it attempted to use the online media to disturb public order during the ongoing Punjab Assembly election.
The SFJ was proscribed by the government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2019. Members of the organisation have been accused of trying to revive terrorism in Punjab. It’s chief, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has also been declared a terrorist.
Relying on intelligence inputs that the channel was attempting to use online media to disturb public order during the ongoing polls, the Ministry said it used emergency powers under the Information Technology Rules on February 18 to block the digital media resources of Punjab Politics TV.
“The contents of the blocked apps, website, and social media accounts had the potential to incite communal disharmony and separatism; and were found to be detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, and public order,” it said.
“It was also observed that the launch of new apps and social media accounts was timed to gain traction during the ongoing elections. The Government of India remains vigilant and committed to secure the overall information environment in India and thwart any actions having the potential to undermine India’s sovereignty and integrity,” it added.
Named in several cases being probed by the Punjab Police and the National Investigation Agency, Pannun also has alleged links with key functionaries of other pro-Khalistan banned outfits, including Babbar Khalsa International, Khalistan Tiger Force and International Sikh Youth Federation.
It is alleged that SFJ and its founder, Pannun, have been running social media campaigns, in a bid to incite Punjab-based gangsters and youth to indulge in violence. “In the past one year, the outfit has carried out 45 such campaigns, in which a large number of fake social media accounts were used. Almost all of them were being operated from Pakistan,” a probe agency official said.
It is alleged that SFJ and its founder, Pannun, have been running social media campaigns, in a bid to incite Punjab-based gangsters and youth to indulge in violence. “In the past one year, the outfit has carried out 45 such campaigns, in which a large number of fake social media accounts were used. Almost all of them were being operated from Pakistan,” a probe agency official said.
