'Promoting child terrorism': NCPCR asks J&K Police to file case against Twitter

New Delhi, July 6: Taking cognizance of a video posted on Twitter showing a child firing bullets in the air, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) wrote a letter to J&K DGP Dilbag Singh, asking him to register an FIR against Twitter India Managing Director Manish Maheshwari and Twitter India Policy Manager Shagufta Kamran.

 

 

In his letter, NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo said the Commission took cognizance of the video after receiving a complaint. "It is seen that there are 4-5 men who are looking at the child and encouraging and appreciating him to use the gun. The complaint alleges the video to be showing unlawful terror activity and support and promotion of terrorism using children and allowing terror organizations to use Twitter to facilitate recruitment activities for terrorism in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh,” wrote Kanoongo.

 

 

Further, he also asked the police to investigate the origin of the video and inform the NCPCR. On action to be taken against the Twitter officials, the NCPCR said this is to be done as the social media platform was being used to promote “unlawful terrorism against India using child soldiers”. He further stated that the Twitter post has been tagged with different regions of J&K where terrorist activities are prevalent.

 

 

The child rights body said in view of the prima facie violation of child rights made out in the video, the commission deems it appropriate to take cognisance in the matter under Section 13(i)(j) of the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005. He added that the widely circulated video is propagating use of children in terrorism violated Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and have also provided link to a Telegram group to advertise people into joining such groups promoting terrorism.

 

 

The apex child rights body also said that it is a matter of concern due to the fact that Twitter’s policy allows children above the age of 15 and will have an adverse impact on children by giving them access to join such illegal groups on Telegram.

 

 

Twitter by allowing such posts violates Information technology (Intermediatory Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 and Section 79 of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The commission requested for filing an FIR against officers Twitter India MD Manish Maheshwari and Twitter India Policy Manager Shagufta Kamran and take necessary steps against them. It also sought necessary action against Telegram.