Will Bengal Delegate at Eastern Zonal Council Demand Tough Laws for 'Provocative Social Media'?
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Synopsis
The West Bengal representative at the Eastern Zonal Council meeting will advocate for stringent national laws to combat provocative social media content. With the rise in cybercrime and its impact on public peace, the state aims to address these pressing issues at the meeting chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah.
Key Takeaways
- Demand for stringent national laws to regulate provocative social media.
- Concern over increasing cybercrime rates.
- West Bengal's long-standing pending dues from the Union government.
- Potential communal violence from provocative content.
- Need for strengthened legal frameworks in the digital age.
Kolkata, July 10 (NationPress) The representative from West Bengal at the upcoming Eastern Zonal Council meeting in Ranchi, Jharkhand, is set to emphasize the need for the implementation of strict national legislation aimed at addressing the issue of “provocative social media” content.
This concern regarding “provocative social media” content was previously raised by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier this month.
The meeting will be presided over by Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah on Thursday.
Due to a prior engagement with her Jammu & Kashmir counterpart Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister Banerjee will not be present at the meeting.
In her place, the West Bengal delegation will be led by the Minister of State for Finance (Independent charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya.
A Cabinet member, wishing to remain anonymous, indicated that another significant topic for discussion will be the long-overdue payments from the Union government for various centrally-sponsored schemes within the state.
Additionally, the issue of the map depicting West Bengal as part of Bihar in the 'Summary Report for the State of West Bengal' from NITI Aayog may also be addressed by the state finance minister, as noted by the Cabinet member.
Chief Minister Banerjee's concern regarding “provocative social media” was evident in her recent letter to Home Minister Shah, highlighting the alarming increase in cybercrime and the negative influence of social media content, which she believes is a growing threat to public order.
In her correspondence, she urged the Union Home Minister to enact stringent laws that could serve as a strong deterrent against the creation and spread of provocative material and criminal activities online.
She emphasized that the existing legal framework and its implementation need to be fortified to keep pace with the rapidly changing digital landscape and the advanced tactics used by malicious entities.
Furthermore, she pointed out that “provocative social media” content could potentially offend religious sentiments, incite communal discord, disrupt social harmony, and lead to crimes against women.
Point of View
The ongoing discourse surrounding 'provocative social media' highlights the urgent need for a balanced approach to online content regulation. While advocating for public safety, it is essential to ensure that legislative measures do not infringe upon freedom of expression.
NationPress
08/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of the Eastern Zonal Council meeting?
The primary focus is to discuss the introduction of stringent national laws to regulate provocative social media content.
Who is representing West Bengal at the meeting?
The Minister of State for Finance (Independent charge), Chandrima Bhattacharya, will represent West Bengal at the meeting.
Why is Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee not attending?
Chief Minister Banerjee is unable to attend due to a pre-scheduled meeting with the Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister.
What other issues will be discussed?
Apart from social media regulations, the pending dues from the Union government for centrally-sponsored schemes will also be addressed.
What concerns did Chief Minister Banerjee express in her letter to HM Shah?
She expressed concerns over the rise in cybercrime and urged for stronger legal frameworks to combat provocative social media content.
