Anti-Government Social Media Posts, Criminal In Bihar

Bihar Government criminalizes all anti government social media posts as cybercrime.

All sorts of offensive and defamatory posts on social media against the government of Bihar, its ministers and other officials will now be categorized under the category of cybercrime decided the Bihar government. This move by the state government comes as a sign that chief minister Nitish Kumar is anxious by various criticism on internet platforms. After having sniped out at such commentaries for long CM Nitish Kumar has now issued orders to the state police’s Economic Offenses Wing to report and act against those who are responsible for such crimes.

The Chief of the Economic Offenses Wing, IG Nayyar Hasnain Khan, wrote a letter to all secretaries of the state government and in the letter he mentioned “It has come to light that certain persons and organizations have been making defamatory and offensive comments on social media against the government, respected ministers, parliamentarians, legislators and government officials.” IG Kahn further added “This is against prescribed law and comes under the category of cybercrime.” All officials were then requested by the senior officer to inform the Economic Offences Wing about such activities so that the criminals could be brought to justice.

One of the few states that has rarely acted against offensive views and comments on the internet is the state of Bihar. CM Nitish’s anger is an open secret on social media. He calls out all sorts of instances of disinformation against his government in his public speeches be it official or a party grandstands. All his supporters are also urged to not believe posts on social media but it's only now that the government has made a decision to act tough against such posts on the internet.