Government to Address Surge in Misinformation on Social Media Following Communal Violence in Haryana

| 03 August 2023

In the wake of the recent communal violence that claimed the lives of six people, the Indian government is taking steps to tackle the alarming spread of misinformation on social media, which is believed to have fueled the unrest. Sources close to India Today have revealed that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is currently preparing a comprehensive document on the surge in false and vitriolic content that circulated on various social media platforms over the past two weeks.

The violence initially erupted on July 31 in Nuh, Haryana, during an attempt to halt a procession organized by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP). The situation quickly escalated, with clashes spreading to Gurugram and other nearby districts, including Palwal, Faridabad, and even reaching areas close to Delhi. The toll of violence was devastating, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, including two home guards and a cleric.

Sources familiar with the matter disclosed that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology experienced a sharp increase in inflammatory content being disseminated through social media platforms during this period. The hateful and vitriolic nature of these posts appeared to be aimed at stoking communal tensions, contributing to the escalation of violence on the streets of Nuh and its neighboring regions.

In response to this concerning situation, the ministry has initiated a thorough investigation and is actively scrutinizing social media accounts that were involved in spreading misinformation about the violence in Nuh. The unchecked aggression and divisive rhetoric in these posts have raised serious concerns about the potential to incite further unrest and polarization within communities.

India Today's Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) team conducted its investigation, shedding light on the dangerous pattern of misinformation leading to real-life violence. The unchecked aggression propagated through social media platforms had a tangible impact on the situation in Nuh, underscoring the need for robust measures to curb the dissemination of false and inflammatory content on the internet.

To address the crisis, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has taken decisive action, stating that 116 individuals have already been arrested, and an additional 90 detained in connection with the communal violence in Nuh. He further emphasized that those found responsible for instigating the violence would face the full force of the law.

The government's efforts to combat misinformation and regulate social media platforms present significant challenges, particularly in striking a balance between freedom of expression and preventing the spread of harmful content. While it is essential to protect the right to free speech, it is equally critical to address the misuse of these platforms to incite violence and hatred.

As the government prepares its document on the spike in misinformation, stakeholders should be prepared for a thorough examination of social media policies and practices to safeguard against the potential for similar incidents in the future. Achieving this balance will require collaboration between technology companies, government agencies, civil society, and citizens to develop effective strategies to address the root causes of online misinformation.

As the situation in Haryana continues to be monitored closely, the responsibility falls on all stakeholders to work together to ensure that social media remains a force for positive communication and dialogue, rather than a tool for sowing discord and hatred. Only through collective effort can we hope to prevent the tragic consequences of misinformation and build a more informed and harmonious society.