The Ministry of Railways has directed social media platform X to remove photos and videos related to the February 15 stampede at New Delhi Railway Station that disrespect the deceased, outrage women's modesty, and are traumatic for survivors and their relatives. The directive was issued after family members of the stampede victims requested the Ministry to take action. The Ministry has also recently empowered its executive director to issue notices to platforms carrying prohibited information related to railways.
Ministry of Railways Directs Social Media Platform to Remove Offensive Content Related to New Delhi Stampede
Following the tragic stampede that occurred at New Delhi Railway Station on February 15, the Ministry of Railways has issued a directive to social media platform Twitter to remove photos and videos related to the incident that are deemed disrespectful, violate women's modesty, and cause trauma to survivors and their families.
Background
The stampede occurred during the Makar Sankranti festival when a large crowd gathered at the station. At least 23 people were killed and dozens more injured in the chaos that ensued. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
Ministry's Directive
In response to requests from family members of the victims, the Ministry of Railways issued a directive to Twitter on March 2, 2023, ordering the removal of all offensive content related to the stampede. The directive cited the following reasons:
The Ministry has also recently empowered its executive director to issue notices to social media platforms carrying prohibited information related to railways.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is considered offensive content under the directive? Content that disrespects the deceased, violates women's modesty, or causes trauma to survivors and their families is considered offensive.
2. How can users report offensive content? Users can report offensive content through Twitter's official reporting mechanisms.
3. What are the consequences for platforms that fail to comply with the directive? The Ministry of Railways has the authority to issue notices and take further action against platforms that do not comply with the directive.
4. What are the other measures being taken to address the stampede? The Ministry of Railways is conducting an investigation into the incident and has promised to take appropriate action against those responsible. The government has also announced compensation for the victims' families.
5. How can we prevent similar incidents from happening in the future? The Ministry of Railways is reviewing safety protocols and has pledged to implement measures to prevent overcrowding and ensure the safety of passengers.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the BJP for taking 10 months to select a national president, while Amit Shah countered by pointing out dynastic practices among opposition parties. Reports suggest that the BJP will announce its new national president by the third week of April to replace JP Nadda. Nadda's tenure was extended until June 2024, but the new president will still be chosen after a process involving the party's 12-13 crore members.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi vehemently opposes the Waqf amendment bill during a Lok Sabha discussion, stating that it is an attack on the foundation of Parliament and the Constitution. He also alleges that the government has ulterior motives for pushing the amendment, including diluting the Constitution, defaming minorities, dividing society, and disenfranchising the minority community. He questions the timing of the amendment and accuses the BJP-led government of restricting religious freedoms in India.
US President Donald Trump has sparked controversy by hinting at ways to stay in power beyond his second term. While the 22nd Amendment limits presidential terms to two, Trump believes there are "methods" to get around it. This raises concerns about the sanctity of democracy and the potential for abuse of power. The idea of a third term for any president has been largely rejected in American history, making this a crucial issue to watch.
The Indian Express has reported exclusively that the BJP may ask K Annamalai to step down as the party's Tamil Nadu president, in order to avoid having both BJP and AIADMK's state election faces come from the Gounder community. This move is seen as a strategic decision to strengthen the BJP's alliance with AIADMK, as both Annamalai and AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami belong to this community. Despite his successful leadership style, Annamalai has reportedly been assured of a bright future within the party and has pledged complete loyalty.
The Lok Sabha braces itself for a heated session as the Centre brings back the divisive Waqf (Amendment) Bill for consideration and passage. The eight-hour debate, agreed upon by leaders from all major parties, could be extended after taking the sense of the House. The previously introduced bill had faced backlash from the Opposition and was sent to a Joint Committee for further scrutiny, leading to clashes over proposed amendments and dissent notes being allegedly redacted. Some of the biggest points of contention include allowing non-Muslims to hold key positions in the Waqf board, giving power to the District Collector to determine ownership of disputed property, and removing the tribunal's final decision clause.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font held discussions on enhancing bilateral relations between India and Chile, particularly in the economic, commercial, and societal sectors. They also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat and announced the start of negotiations for a comprehensive economic partnership agreement. The Chilean President is on a five-day state visit to India, accompanied by a high-level delegation.
The controversial Godman, Ram Rahim, who is serving a 20-year jail sentence for rape, has been granted a 30-day parole by the Haryana government. His release coincides with the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi, raising questions about the timing of the decision. Ram Rahim's parole last year before the Haryana assembly elections was also met with criticism. With a mass following in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana, the parole has sparked a debate on the influence of religious leaders in politics. IBNS, an objective news agency, strives to provide factual and unbiased news without any biases or agendas.
It has been speculated that K Annamalai, the current BJP Tamil Nadu president, may step down from his position as alliance talks between the BJP and AIADMK intensify. The move comes amid concerns over caste equations and the BJP's strategy to consolidate its hold beyond the western region of Tamil Nadu. Sources reveal that Annamalai has expressed complete loyalty to the party and may take on a national role or a different assignment in the state.
In a scathing attack, Tamil Maanila Congress leader and former Union Minister G.K. Vasan criticized the DMK government in Tamil Nadu for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Vasan accused the ruling party of using divisive issues to distract from their failures, corruption, and scams. He demanded a white paper on the alleged Rs 1,000-crore financial fraud involving the state-run corporation responsible for liquor sales. The Enforcement Directorate has conducted raids in connection with suspected financial irregularities, targeting the TASMAC headquarters, distilleries, and liquor contractors.
In his annual Gudhi Padwa rally, Maharashtra Navanirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray criticized efforts to stir up communal tension over Aurangzeb's tomb. He urged people not to rely on WhatsApp forwards for historical information and reminded them that the Mughal ruler failed to defeat the legacy of Shivaji Maharaj. Thackeray's comments come as right-wing groups call for the removal of Aurangzeb's tomb, leading to protests and violence.