Access to 40 websites run by SFJ blocked: MHA

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 5

The government on Sunday said that it had blocked 40 websites being operated by pro-Khalistan organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), which has been declared “unlawful” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the action has been taken as the banned outfit had launched a campaign for registering supporters for “Referendum: 2020” to seek a separate homeland for the Sikhs.

The official said, “On the recommendation of the MHA, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued orders under Section 69 A of the IT Act, 2000, for blocking 40 websites run by the SFJ.” The organisation’s Facebook page has already been blocked. A notice too has been issued. “It has been reported to the department that URL http://sikhsforjustice.org contains objectionable content”, the spokesperson said. Section 69 A empowers the government to block public access to any URL “in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India”.