Centre blocks apps and website of Punjab Politics TV channel linked to banned ‘Sikhs For Justice’

Last updated on August 15th, 2022 at 04:36 pm

Punjab – The central government has ordered blocking on apps, websites, and social media accounts of foreign-based ‘Punjab Politics TV’ alleging its close links with the banned pro-Khalistan outfit ‘Sikhs For Justice’ (SFJ).

The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) issued a statement on Tuesday. The ministry said in a statement that the channel was using online media to disturb public order during the Punjab legislative assembly elections.

The ministry said that the content pushed on digital platforms by the channel might cause communal disharmony and separatism in the country. According to The Indian Express, the Ministry used emergency powers under the IT Rules on 18 February to block the digital media resources of the channel.

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SFJ has been declared unlawful under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. SFJ founder-leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has also been declared as a terrorist under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The government had issued orders to ban the pro-Khalistani SFJ under the UAPA in January 2019. Recently, Pannun issued a video on Facebook and called for a ‘Rail Punjab Bandh’ on February 19. He also said that the recent death of Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu was a “political murder”.

The SFJ organisation was in news ahead of voting in Punjab after Kumar Vishwas, a former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, alleged that AAP convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had links to pro-Khalistan elements. Kumar said that the AAP national convener can compromise India’s sovereignty and integrity to become the chief minister of Punjab. Subsequently, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the alleged links would be investigated.

Earlier, I&B blocked 20 YouTube channels and 2 websites after receiving intelligence inputs. The ministry also blocked 35 YouTube channels that were involved in spreading “anti-India fake news”. The ministry also issued orders to block two websites, two Twitter, two Instagram and one Facebook accounts that were involved in spreading hatred in the country.