Cong slams govt over social-media 'crackdown', says undermining free speech threat to democracy
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New Delhi (PTI): The Congress slammed the BJP-led Centre on Thursday for its "crackdown" on social media, including X, YouTube and Instagram, by allegedly ordering the closure of several accounts and said undermining free speech is a threat to democracy.
Addressing a press conference here, Congress spokesperson and the head of the the party's social media and digital platforms wing, Supriya Shrinate, claimed that multiple accounts across various social media platforms have either been blocked or restricted under official directives.
She alleged that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to suppress dissent and evade accountability by curbing digital expression.
Shrinate stated that several X, YouTube and Instagram accounts that questioned government policies or highlighted public issues were either blocked, suspended or had content removed without adequate explanation.
She further claimed that even independent content creators and media platforms, including YouTube channels and magazine-related posts, have faced action, while citing the instance of police detaining a YouTuber who reported on LPG cylinder shortages in Noida.
Calling it a "serious attack on freedom of expression", the Congress spokesperson said she has personally received multiple notices from social-media platforms regarding content restrictions.
She accused the government of attempting to extend control over digital platforms after influencing mainstream media, terming it a "new trend" in the country of first removing content and then blocking accounts.
Targeting Modi, Shrinate said the government is "intolerant of criticism" and accused it of weakening democratic institutions by restricting opposition voices and public questioning.
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Ahead of good Friday, SWR announces special train between Yesvantpur-Kannur via Mangaluru
Bengaluru: Ahead of the upcoming Good Friday festival weekend, the South Western Railway has announced a one-trip special train service between Yesvantpur Junction and Kannur via Mangaluru Junction.
According to an official released from the SWR, Train Number 06551 Yesvantpur–Kannur Express Special will depart Yesvantpur at 11.50 am on April 2 and is scheduled to arrive Kannur at 3.00 am on April 3.
In the return direction, Train Number 06552 Kannur–Yesvantpur Express Special will leave Kannur at 8.45 am on April 3 and reach Yesvantpur at 9.30 pm the same day.
The special train will halt at Kunigal, Channarayapatna, Hassan, Sakleshpura, Subrahmanya Road, Kabaka Puttur, Bantawala, Mangaluru Junction, Kasaragod, Kanhangad and Payyannur.
The train composition will have two AC two-tier coaches, six AC three-tier coaches, seven sleeper class coaches, four general second class coaches.
