Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing has issued a takedown notice to X Corp, directing the platform to suspend or block 18 URLs and posts within 3 hours, including content shared by YouTuber Maridhas. The notice, issued on May 8 under provisions of the Information Technology Act and Information Technology Rules, 2021, has sparked debate over free speech and political dissent.
According to the notice, the action followed a request from the Superintendent of Police, Social Media Cell, over posts allegedly containing provocative and politically sensitive remarks. Authorities stated that the content could trigger public unrest, disturb public tranquillity and impact law and order.
The notice referred to Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to unlawful assembly. It also cited Rule 3(1)(d) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, claiming the URLs were being used for unlawful activities connected to decency, morality and defamation.
Officials directed X to immediately remove or disable access to the identified posts and stop further circulation of the content. The notice also warned that non-compliance could lead to prosecution against the intermediary.
Most of the flagged posts reportedly criticised the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The move drew criticism from political leaders, legal observers and social media users, who questioned whether the action restricted freedom of speech.
Narayanan Thirupathy, chief spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Tamil Nadu, described the notice as a direct attack on free speech and political criticism. Social media activist Dinesh claimed that the TVK filed a complaint against him without proper grounds and said citizens have the right to criticise political leaders respectfully.
Advocate S. Karthikeyan also raised concerns over legal petitions seeking takedown orders without hearing content creators, while senior Cyber Crime Wing officials maintained that such notices are part of routine procedure when provocative content appears online.
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