Can BJP ban Facebook and Twitter?

Big Social Media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter will be banned in India if they fail to comply new guidelines framed by the government in February. Indian government gave three of timeframe for accepting the new guidelines. 

On the other side of the coin, BJP and Prime Minister Modi have been severely attacked in social media for the failure in handling the second wave in the country. Twitter and Facebook seem to be major social media platforms for the people to criticize the government with proofs and memes. People have strong opinion that frontline media is silent and hiding the facts on pandemic rampage in the country, people have chosen social media platforms to express their views.

Indian government banned Chinese Apps after Galwan river valley attack in June 2020 including popular TikTok and PubG. People supported the decision of the government and other countries also welcomed the Indian government decision. Government failed to get similar response this time when it threatened Facebook and Twitter. BJP leaders can’t digest the way that international media exposed Modi’s faults in attacking the coronavirus. The same media who praised Modi’s actions one year back during the first wave. Two weeks back government forced to suspend some accounts in Social Media for making the posts against ruling party and government.

Now, Indian government wants to control Social Media platforms further in the name of new guidelines. Can the government control American big social media companies like Chinese apps? Excess control on social media platforms lead to dilution of Modi reputation in the world. In India there is huge following for these platforms. WhatApp has 53 crore users, Facebook and Twitter have 41 crore and 1.75 crores Indian users. Instagram has 21 crore clients. If India impose ban against these platforms it will get negative impact on India and U.S relations. Banning Twitter & Facebook is not as easy as like banning TikTok & PubG. India should take necessary actions on hate posts and misleading information but should not go for complete ban.