‘X’ withholds SGPC’s pro-farmer, Gurpurb congratulatory tweets

Amritsar, February 21

The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has lodged a strong objection regarding withholding of its two tweets on ‘X’ at the behest of the Central Government.

The SGPC received a notice from ‘X’ stating that a legal removal demand has been received from the Government of India with a claim that its contents were in violation of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

In one of the tweets, the SGPC had shown solidarity with the protesting farmers and had urged the government to resolve their issues instead of using force against them.

Another tweet pertained to a congratulatory message, part of Ardas (prayer) offered at the Golden Temple on the occasion of Parkash Purb (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev.

Highly condemnable

It is highly condemnable on part of the Centre to ask ‘X’ to withhold the content of the Central Sikh shrine. What is objectionable in voicing the concerns of farming community? We have sought immediate clarification from the Centre. —Harjinder Singh Dhami, chief, SGPC

The SGPC has sent a communiqué to the Secretary, Cyber Security Division, Government of India, seeking a clarification about what was ‘unlawful’ as per the IT Act, 2000, in the content of the tweets.

SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami said a notice from ‘X’ was received informing that the contents of the tweets were being withheld in India but would remain available elsewhere.

“It is highly condemnable on part of the Centre to ask ‘X’ to withhold the content of the Central Sikh shrine. What is objectionable in voicing the concerns of farming community? We have sought immediate clarification from the Centre,” he said.

Taking cognisance of a death of a young farmer, Shubhkaran Singh of Bathinda, in a clash between the Haryana police and farmers, Dhami said, “The government’s oppression on farmers is highly condemnable. Death of a youngster is a big question on the administrative failure of the governments. An impartial investigation should be held into this incident.”