The Opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday warned of a statewide agitation if the Odisha BJP government continues what it described as a crackdown on people expressing critical views on social media, alleging misuse of police machinery to suppress dissent.
Addressing media persons here today, former minister and BJD vice-president Pratap Jena, senior general secretary Pranab Balabantaray and party spokesperson and media coordinator Dr Lenin Mohanty accused the BJP government of selectively targeting its critics while sparing its supporters.
Jena alleged that social media users criticising the government were being summoned to police stations, arrested and intimidated, while those supporting the BJP faced no such action.
He also claimed that social media accounts posting criticism of the government were being blocked in an attempt to silence public opinion.
Accounts of Rajya Sabha MP Sulata Deo and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal president Ipsita Sahu were blocked after they criticised the government, Jena further accusing the BJP’s IT cell of carrying out online character assassination of political opponents.
Reacting to the controversy over errors in school textbooks, Jena claimed that more than 2,000 mistakes had appeared due to government negligence and alleged that people highlighting the issue on social media were facing retaliation.
He also alleged that Cuttack resident Biswajit Sahu was arrested for criticising the BJP government and demanded similar action against those allegedly defaming leaders of other political parties.
Balabantaray alleged that despite calling itself a “people’s government”, the BJP was intolerant of criticism. He claimed citizens raising issues such as textbook errors, delays in welfare payments, deteriorating law and order and alleged misuse of public funds during Pakhala Divas celebrations were being targeted instead of their grievances being addressed.
He further alleged that the government was enforcing the law selectively, taking action against critics of the Chief Minister while ignoring derogatory remarks against former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and women leaders on social media.
Mohanty alleged that while the government had failed to act against those responsible for textbook errors and other administrative lapses, it was quick to proceed against social media users critical of the government.
Citing the Apex Court’s decision striking down Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, he said citizens had a constitutional right to express their views online.
BJD would launch a statewide protest if the alleged targeting of social media critics continued, they concluded.