Kerala poet's FB account 'suspended' for posting satire clip on BJP poll defeat
Kochi, May 9: Noted poet K Satchidanandan has alleged that he was restrained by Facebook from liking, commenting and sharing posts for 24-hours after he tried to upload online a satire video on the BJP's defeat in the recently concluded Kerala assembly polls.
The poet told media that he has also been barred from live appearance on the social media platform for 30 days.
Satchidanandan, former secretary of Kendra Sahitya Akademi, said when he attempted to post the video mocking the BJP's electoral defeat, he had received a message from Facebook alleging violation of its community standard.
He claimed that the video, widely shared on various other social media platforms, was not an abusive one.
Citing his experience, the poet alleged that the critics of the rightwing are under their watch.
Justifying Facebook's action, the BJP state unit on Sunday said there was a limit for everything and no one should be allowed to violate the community standards of the social media platforms.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor and CPI(M) leader T M Thomas Isaac criticised the social media giant for its action against Satchidanandan.
In a tweet, he said, "Deplorable that @Facebook has suspended the account of one of Kerala's greatest living poets, @Satchida (K Satchidanandan, former Secy of the SahityaAkademi), for posting a video about BJP's defeat in the Kerala Assembly elections.
"We must not allow censorship into our politics!"
CPI(M) leader Isaac, who is also finance minister in the outgoing Kerala ministry, described it as a "most deplorable act".
"In solidarity with Satchidanandan, leading contemporary Malayalam poet and former secretary of National Sahitya Academy, whose Facebook account has been closed for posting a video on PM Modi in relation to BJP defeat in recent Kerala election. A most deplorable act. #Facebook", he tweeted.
Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham, an organization of artists, writers and art and literature enthusiasts based in Kerala, and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), youth wing of the CPI(M), also condemned Facebook's decision to restrain the poet.
However, spokesperson of the Kerala unit of BJP, M S Kumar said people don't expect 'substandard' posts from a great poet like Satchidanandan.
"People like him should try to control themselves while posting such stuff on social media," he said.
No one should be allowed to violate the community standards of the social media platforms, he added.
In a stunning electoral victory, the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF rode back to power in Kerala winning 99 of the 140 seats, bucking the over four decade-long trend of Communists and Congress-led UDF coming to power alternatively. The BJP-NDA came a cropper.
Deplorable that @Facebook has suspended the account of one of Kerala's greatest living poets, @Satchida (K. Satchidanandan, former Secy of the SahityaAkademi), for posting a video about BJP's defeat in the Kerala Assembly elections. We must not allow censorship into our politics!
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 8, 2021
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Gold, silver soar as US-Iran deal hopes lift bullion demand
New Delhi (PTI): Gold prices rebounded by Rs 2,900 to Rs 1.55 lakh per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday, while silver climbed to Rs 2.54 lakh per kilogram as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a pullback in oil rates, boosting demand for precious metals.
According to the All India Sarafa Association, the yellow metal of 99.9 per cent purity jumped by Rs 2,900, or nearly 2 per cent, to Rs 1,55,400 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes) from Tuesday's closing level of Rs 1,52,500 per 10 grams.
Traders attributed the surge in bullion prices to reports that Washington and Tehran are close to finalising a framework agreement to end months of conflict, raising the prospects of smoother flows through the Strait of Hormuz and easing inflation concerns tied to energy markets.
"Gold rallied strongly on Wednesday as easing geopolitical tensions triggered a sharp reversal in key macro drivers that had recently pressured precious metals," Saumil Gandhi, Senior Analyst - Commodities at HDFC Securities, said.
Silver prices also advanced for the third straight session by rising Rs 3,500, or 1.4 per cent, to Rs 2,54,500 per kg (inclusive of all taxes). The metal had settled at Rs 2,51,000 per kg in the previous session, as per the Association.
"The prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough triggered a steep decline in oil prices and the US dollar, easing concerns about inflation while boosting demand for precious metals," Gandhi said.
Globally, spot gold increased by USD 106.15, or 2.33 per cent, to USD 4,663.70 per ounce while silver gained USD 3.40, or 4.68 per cent, to USD 76.24 per ounce.
"Gold witnessed a sharp rally as markets reacted positively to reports that the US and Iran are moving closer to a one-page agreement framework aimed at ending the conflict," Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities, said.
Despite strong international gains, rupee strength limited the upside in domestic gold prices. The market is now highly focused on final confirmation and execution of the proposed deal, he added.
Any negative surprise or breakdown in negotiations could trigger a sharp sell-off in gold, while a successful agreement and sustained ceasefire could push the bullion prices higher in the near-term, Trivedi said.
