The central government may claim that it has succeeded in blocking those websites and Facebook accounts that have been carrying inflammatory texts and pictures, which allegedly caused people from North-Eastern states residing in Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, etc., to flee. But, in reality, such material can still be viewed on social media sites. Following directions from the Union home ministry, Facebook blocked several pages containing morphed photos related to alleged violence in Myanmar and atrocities committed against the minority community in other places. But many pages are active and morphed photos are uploaded on the various communities on FB.
Some online communities are carrying out activities in the name of holy war against India. They are using the photos of the recent Assam violence for anti-India propaganda. The recent violence at Azad Maidan in Mumbai is also being used on social media sites for anti-national propaganda.
The central government is scrutinising all material uploaded on social media sites, yet there is no dearth of pages dedicated to preaching hatred against India. Tens of pages, most of them closed groups, contain inflammatory material. According to Raviraj Holla, a cyber law expert, it is a crime to spread hatred through social media. “There is provision under our cyber act to punish such people. But tracking them is the biggest headache. If the central government blocks one page, the very next day miscreants come out with tens of new pages. And sadly, people like NE residents of the city pay for this mischief,” he said.