MHA advisory to monitor fake news on social media over Citizenship Bill
Mumbai : The Union Home Minister on Monday issued an advisory to monitor the fake news and its existence on social media as they can make the violence grow at pace.
“State governments and Union Territories (UTs) have been requested to take requisite precautionary measures to maintain law and order, peace and public tranquillity. They have also been requested to take action against circulation of fake news and rumours on social media having potential to incite violence,” said an MHA official who did not wish to be named.
“In view of the incidents of violence and damage to public property being reported from some parts of the country, it is imperative that all required measures be taken to contain violence, ensure protection of life and safety of citizens and prevent damage of property,” the MHA told states in its advisory.
In Delhi, the home ministry claimed that they have been noticing the attempts on social media to blame the police for the whole violence and a rumour of killing two people in the incident.
Top officials of Jamia Milia University, where the police clashed with protesting students on Sunday, denied rumours of any death on account of the police action as did Delhi Police.
The ministry also stressed that concerns around a large number of people getting Indian citizenship under the new law were premature and misplaced as the Centre is yet to finalise the rules.
“The new Act does not mean that all refugees or illegal immigrants will get Indian citizenship automatically. They will have to apply for citizenship which will be processed by the competent authority. The applicant concerned will be given Indian citizenship only after fulfilling the required criteria. He will have to apply online and the competent authority would see whether he fulfils all the qualifications for registration or naturalisation as Indian citizen,” a MHA official told Hindustan Times.
"It is only after this exercise is complete that it can be established how many people get citizenship," this person added.
