Can a symbol legitimize the violent past of an extremist organization?
Twitter recently awarded a blue tick to the Twitter account of the Popular Front of India (PFI) Karnataka chapter. This resulted in a wide range of protests spanning lengths and breadth of the country with dissenting voices of intellectuals, civil societies, nationalists as well as that of security agencies. Since the matter came to light, those unaware of Twitter terminologies are confused over the nature of protest. This unawareness is being utilized by the PFI to justify the decision and play victimization card in the process. Twitter- a popular social media platform is used by individuals/organizations to occupy the public space and disseminate their thoughts, ideologies & propaganda. A blue tick associated with any handle (Twitter account) gives a sense of legitimacy to the account. It is termed as verified by Twitter. This blue tick is sought after eagerly by Individuals/organizations to gain publicity & increase their number of followers & in the process, expand their base. Memories are still afresh of the D J Halli violence that occurred in Bengaluru at the behest of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI)-the political wing of PFI. The violence fueled by religious intolerance was so intense that it destroyed an entire police station with damage to properties amounting to crores. This raised question on the intentions of PFI and its sister organizations. Ranging from kidnapping to political killings, PFI is involved not only in terrorist activities across India but also in the Middle East including Syria. Hundreds of its cadres joined the ISIS and the cases are under investigation by the NIA. The PFI is known for instigating communal disharmony for gaining publicity and cheap political mileage. A recent discovery by Kerala forest officers in the Padam forest area exposed the involvement of the PFI in imparting IED & bomb making training to its cadres. At a time when Twitter is engaged in bitter war with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry over its repeated failures to comply with the newly amended IT Act, its decision to award blue tick to an extremist organization raises suspicion. The government wants accountability from Twitter keeping in mind the interest of the nation but Twitter is hell bent on defying the laws of the land. Freedom is not absolute especially if it clashes with national security. By providing legitimacy to organizations like the PFI, Twitter has proved that new laws are needed to check the activities of social media giants for the sake of the security of the nation. Coming back to the question if blue tick has the potential to legitimize the violent past of an extremist organisation, the answer is certainly in negation. After all, years of violence cant be negated by a mere sign with a colour. Like this: Like Loading...