The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre seeking its response on a plea filed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleging the blocking of its official accounts on Meta platforms – Facebook and Instagram. The AAP claims this blocking occurred without any prior notice or opportunity to be heard, violating their fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression.
The petition argues the blocking was initiated at the behest of the government, specifically referencing a communication from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to Meta. AAP contends this action is a form of censorship and disproportionate restriction on their political speech, especially crucial in the lead-up to elections. They assert the blocking impacts their ability to communicate with voters and participate effectively in the democratic process.
The Centre’s response is sought within two weeks. The court acknowledged the importance of the issue, particularly given the ongoing election cycle.
AAP’s plea details instances where their accounts were blocked, hindering their ability to run political campaigns and disseminate information. They argue the blocking orders lack transparency and do not specify the reasons for the action, preventing them from addressing any alleged violations.
The party further states that the blocking is a violation of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, which outlines procedures for blocking online content, including the requirement of a reasoned order and an opportunity for the affected party to be heard. They claim these procedures were not followed.
The AAP is seeking the immediate restoration of their accounts and a direction to the Centre and Meta to ensure such actions are not taken in the future without adhering to due process of law. The court’s decision on this matter could have significant implications for political parties’ use of social media platforms during elections and the extent of government control over online political speech.
