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Freedom of Expression under @INCIndia ever since @RahulGandhi joined active politics (2004) and had the power to intervene and stand for his belief that Freedom of Expression is a fundamental democratic right. A comprehensive, crowdsourced thread in response to his tweet:
1. In 2012, the UPA govt under @INCIndia moved to block the Charlie Hebdo cartoons.
2. In 2012, upon UPA govt's request, Google blocked access to an "anti-Islam" film. http://www.livemint.com/Politics/9XNqU7wFjBQCJXEsye0VpI/Google-India-blocks-access-to-antiIslam-film.html
3. @INCIndia SACKED its worker for calling @RahulGandhi a PAPPU in an otherwise sycophantic ode. (via @I_DIVYANSHU) http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/congres-leader-sacked-for-calling-rahul-pappu/article19033543.ece
4. @RahulGandhi's mother Ms Sonia Gandhi PERSONALLY WROTE to the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid expressing OUTRAGE over Danish cartoons, soon BANNED by India: http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/20sonia.htm
5. @INCIndia tried to BAN The Red Sari, DEMANDED from the publishers they WITHDRAW the book. (via @alokmalik) https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/the-sonia-book-congress-banned/293120
6. @INCIndia BANNED the film Da Vinci Code. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @morningangleton) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Da-Vinci-Code-banned-in-Goa/articleshow/1618782.cms
7. @INCIndia DEMANDED content screening from Google, Facebook after a post on Sonia Gandhi offended it. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @AartiTikoo) https://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/05/india-asks-google-facebook-others-to-screen-user-content/
8. @INCIndia goons gheraoed and disrupted an event hosted by the director of the film Indu Sarkar. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. https://twitter.com/imbhandarkar/status/886171196169101312
9. Man ARRESTED under a UPA-enacted law for tweeting against @INCIndia leader's son. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @SupariShambhu) https://www.ndtv.com/south/man-arrested-for-tweet-on-chidambarams-son-503192
10. @INCIndia DEMANDED cuts in the film Raajneeti. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @dibyabttb) http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Politics+over+Raajneeti:+Cong+plays+censor+board/1/98911.html
11. @INCIndia BANNED the film Aarakshan. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @sriharsha_ch348) http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/prakash-jha-aarakshan-ban/1/147722.html
12. @INCIndia lodged an FIR against a person for calling Gandhi-Nehru 'Trash', burnt his effigy. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @samas777) http://indianexpress.com/article/india/congress-lodges-fir-against-bjp-mp-kamakhya-prasad-tasa-for-calling-gandhi-nehru-trash-4903081/
13. @INCIndia workers FORCED a restaurant to SHUT DOWN, filed an FIR, over a bill mocking the UPA. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @DillliWaala) http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/congress-workers-shut-down-aditi-restaurant-over-bill-criticising-
14. @INCIndia SACKED the Editor of its mouthpiece for publishing columns that passingly, and without malice, wrote the truth. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/mumbai-congress-journal-blames-jawaharlal-nehru-for-state-of-affairs-in-kashmir/
15. CBFC under @INCIndia BLURRED the Tibetan flag in a film, leading to protests. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @BullaDmello) http://www.news18.com/news/india/tibetans-upset-over-censoring-of-rockstar-scene-417629.html
16. CBFC under @INCIndia virtually banned, HARASSED makers of the '1984 riots' film Amu; film couldn't be screened. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/clamping-down-on-creativity/article17739798.ece
17. Law enforcement under @INCIndia slapped SEDITION, cybercrime charges on a cartoonist. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @bdhaps) http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Mumbai-police-arrest-cartoonist-slap-sedition-cybercrime-charges-on-him/article12623053.ece
18. @INCIndia govt SUPPORTED the punishment meted out to 2 journalists by the Karnataka Assembly. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @idiotsspeak) https://indianexpress.com/article/india/misuse-of-power-editors-guild-on-karnataka-assembly-sentencing-journalists-to-prison-4721611/
19. @INCIndia DEMANDED intimate scenes between Nehru & Edwina to be CUT; film got shelved. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @nanditathhakur) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/6392593/Film-about-Nehrus-love-affair-with-Edwina-Mountbatten-shelved.html
20. Police under @INCIndia ARRESTED a man for writing an FB post on @siddaramaiah. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @BHARGAV_GN) https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/karnataka-youth-arrested-for-defaming-siddaramaiah-on-fb-14782-2016-06-17
21. RCO under @INCIndia harassed the makers, virtually BANNED the film Pithavinum Puthranum (In the name of the Father and the Son). @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/caught-in-a-web-of-censorship/article4807853.ece
22. @INCIndia DEMANDED a BAN on the film Kya Super Kool Hain hum, for offending the sensibilities of Christians. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/congress-demands-ban-on-kya-super-kool-hain-hum-in-goa-420165.html
23. @INCIndia THREATENED protests, demanded a BAN on a film on Indira Gandhi's assassination, Kaum de Heere . The film was banned. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-28892001
24. @INCIndia BANNED the film Sadda Haq. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/punjab-delhi-ban-film-based-on-khalistan-movement/article4585856.ece
25. @INCIndia CM BOYCOTTED sharing dais with @SrBachchan. His son's posters were REMOVED. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @sagargodbole247)
http://www.thehoot.org/story_popup/marathi-media-on-the-chavan-amitabh-issue-4471
http://www.thehoot.org/story_popup/marathi-media-on-the-chavan-amitabh-issue-4471
26. @INCIndia BANNED the film Hawayein, that had the 1984 Sikh genocide as a backdrop. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://archive.mid-day.com/news/2010/feb/190210-1984-anti-Sikh-riots-Hawayein-banned-controversial-film.htm
27. @INCIndia BANNED the film Tango Charlie. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://archive.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/apr112005/national2119102005410.asp
28. @INCIndia protested, DEMANDED a ban on Sharad Ponkshe's play Hey Ram Nathuram. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://indianexpress.com/article/india/congress-ncp-protest-against-staging-of-hey-ram-nathuram-in-nagpur-4489620/
29. CBFC under @INCIndia virtually BANNED the film Had Anhad. The High Court REBUKED CBFC & FCAT, cleared the film for viewing. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://www.thehoot.org/free-speech/censorship/censoring-kabir-anything-s-possible-8549
30. CBFC under @INCIndia DEMANDED Rushdie's voiceover comment on Indira Gandhi in Midnight's Children be REMOVED. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/CBFC-asks-to-remove-comment-on-Indira-Gandhi-from-Midnights-Children/articleshow/18032030.cms
31. @INCIndia (DF govt) BANNED Laine's Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Govt-bans-book-on-Shivaji-draws-flak/articleshow/421394.cms
32. @INCIndia shamelessly PLEADED to NOT lift the BAN on Laine's book, Shivaji: Hindu King in Islamic India. The Supreme Court disregarded advice. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @IndianChomsky) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Supreme-Court-lifts-ban-on-James-Laines-book-on-Shivaji/articleshow/6148410.cms?from=mdr
33. Police under @INCIndia ARRESTED a man for writing a Facebook post on Tipu Sultan. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @BHARGAV_GN) https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/karnataka-man-arrested-for-derogatory-remark-on-tipu-sultan-305539-2016-01-26
34. @INCIndia MLA DEMANDED a BAN on Sunny Leone's condom ad, saying it shames us. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2017/aug/02/goa-congress-mla-francis-silveira-demands-ban-on-sunny-leones-condom-ads-on-buses-1637155.html
35. @INCIndia SACKED its prominent regional leader who called @RahulGandhi joker. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @I_DIVYANSHU) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kerala-Cong-leader-suspended-to-quell-rebellion-against-Rahul-Gandhi/articleshow/35741776.cms?from=mdr
36. @INCIndia DEMANDED a BAN on the film Nishabd. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/Congress-demands-ban-on-INishabd-I/article14728754.ece
37. @INCIndia FILED a POLICE CASE against the maker of a spoof video. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @ankit_rajpt)
38. Close aide of @INCIndia wanted to BAN the 1984 sikh genocide film already in trouble re CBFC. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @TheSaneMind) http://www.thehoot.org/free-speech/media-freedom/film-31-october-battles-opposition-to-release-9711
39. @INCIndia MP DEMANDED a BAN on the film Dum Maro Dum, because it portrayed Goan women in an objectionable manner. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-newdelhi/Congress-MP-demands-ban-on-Dum-Maro-Dum/article14678029.ece
40. @INCIndia DEMANDED a BAN on Jaswant Singh's book Jinnah, India-Partition Independence. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://www.news18.com/news/politics/mp-congress-demands-ban-on-jaswants-book-323287.html
41. @INCIndia wanted to dish out LICENSES to journalists, that could then be TAKEN AWAY by the govt on its discretion. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @tarun_197) http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/editors-guild-slams-manish-tewari-for-licensing-suggestion/article5047951.ece
42. @INCIndia wanted to KEEP THE BAN on the famous musical Jesus Christ Superstar, pleading, "it may hurt the religious faith of Christians and cause serious law & order issues." SC DISREGARDED the plea. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @tweetRada) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Priests-25-year-battle-gets-ban-on-Jesus-Christ-nixed/articleshow/46844472.cms
43. @INCIndia DEMANDED a BAN on the song Bharat Mata Ki Jai from the film Shanghai. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://www.mid-day.com/articles/mumbai-congress-for-ban-on-shanghai-song/166467
44. @INCIndia MP TORE DOWN posters of the film Arjun Reddy saying they ruined the minds of youngsters, DEMANDED a ban. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @prasanth439)
45. @INCIndia DEMANDED a BAN on the film Namo Saune Gamo, based on the life of @narendramodi. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. https://www.theindianpanorama.news/india/congress-demands-ban-on-gujarati-flick-namo-saune-gamo/
46. @INCIndia BANNED the accredited @republic news channel from its press conference. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @I_DIVYANSHU)
47. CBFC under @INCIndia virtually BANNED the film, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS122486517520120129
48. CBFC under @INCIndia ORDERED the director to cut scenes, saying that the Emergency was NEVER imposed. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @trackevangelism) https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/babumoshai-bandookbaaz-censor-row-filmmakers-join-hands-to-support-makers-of-nawazuddin-siddiqui-film/articleshow/59882654.cms
49. @INCIndia DEMANDED a BAN on Opinion Polls. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/congress-for-ban-on-opinion-polls-bjp-rejects-demand-of-losers/1191064/
50. @INCIndia wanted to STALL, BAN release of the film Padmavati. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @Tejas_Bhatt) http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/padmavati-bjp-sanjay-leela-bhansali-distorting-history/1/1080712.html
51. Police under @INCIndia SUSPENDED a constable for criticising @siddaramaiah. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @youbee_s)
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/police-constable-suspended-for-dig-at-cm-on-fb/articleshow/61426015.cms
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/police-constable-suspended-for-dig-at-cm-on-fb/articleshow/61426015.cms
52. Police under @INCIndia ARRESTED a man for criticising @narendramodi. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/crime/pm-designate-narendra-modi-syed-vaqas-whatsapp-l-k-advani-rajnath-singh-sushma-swaraj-baba-ramdev-maneka-gandhi-varun-gandhi/articleshow/35610511.cms
53. Police under @INCIndia ARRESTED students in Kerala for defaming @narendramodi. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/13/indian-police-arrest-students-defaming-narendra-modi
54. Commission under @INCIndia DEMANDED a ban on the film Rang de Basanti; passed ONLY after minister said yes. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @eaniman)
https://m.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/09rang.htm
https://m.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/09rang.htm
55. @INCIndia BANNED Nakoula's iconic film Innocence of Muslims after US Consulate was attacked by protesters in Chennai; directed all webpages where the film was available to be BLOCKED. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/US-consulate-targeted-in-Chennai-over-anti-Prophet-Muhammad-film/articleshow/16397437.cms?referral=PM
56. CBFC under @INCIndia DENIED film certificate to Jayan Cherian's famous Dalit film Papilio Buddha; BANNED it from IFFK. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @loosebool) http://www.news18.com/news/india/papilio-buddha-censor-board-denies-certification-504310.html
57. @INCIndia BANNED dozens of channels for, among other things, showing "obscene and women degrading content" that for it included lingerie, Hawas, Sizzling Hits. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @centerofright)
58. @INCIndia, this time its youth wing, DEMANDED a BAN on the film Padmavati. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. https://www.patrika.com/pali-news/youth-congress-demands-ban-on-padmavati-1978946/
60. CBFC under @INCIndia BANNED Ashvin Kumar’s film Inshallah, Football. It went on to win a National Award after the ban was later revoked. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT.
61. @INCIndia BANNED Nobel nominee @Callum_Macrae's acclaimed documentary No Fire Zone because it could have "strained friendly relations between India and Sri Lanka." @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. https://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2014/02/22/india-bans-film-about-sri-lankan-war/
62. CBFC under @INCIndia BANNED Amol Palekar's Marathi film Thang. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://indianculturalforum.in/2016/07/08/imprisoning-minds/
63. @INCIndia goons VANDALISED and RANSACKED the auditorium where noted theatre personality Hirannaiah was speaking; FORCED a grovelling apology off him. Hirannaiah had poked fun at Siddaramaiah and Sonia Gandhi. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @youbee_s) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysuru/Noted-theatre-personality-Master-Hirannaiah-apologizes-CM-after-controversy/articleshow/34983139.cms
64. @INCIndia INSTRUCTED authorities to BAN @SunnyLeone from expressing her freedom to act and perform a show. Police under @INCIndia REFUSED to promise safety for her and her crew. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sunny-leone-bengaluru-new-year-bash/1/1113887.html
65. @INCIndia's Sonia Gandhi DEMANDED all studies coming out of RGICR be politically vetted after a study ranked Gujarat No. 1 in economic freedom. Director @bibekdebroy REFUSED, said he was made to QUIT. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @PrashastSri) https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2015/11/05/bibek-debroy-intolerance_n_8477332.html
66. @INCIndia (UPA) passed the DRACONIAN 66A, used to suppress free speech online. It was later struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT, did not want to tear it to shreds like he did the 2013 UPA ordinance. (via @rajeev_mp)
67. @INCIndia's Sonia Gandhi [10 Janpath] rang up @bibekdebroy, Director (Research) of RGICR after learning he had invited Editor of RSS' @eOrganiser, DEMANDING withdrawal of invitation. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Intolerance-has-always-existed-Niti-Aayogs-Bibek-Debroy/articleshow/49666174.cms
![67. @INCIndia's Sonia Gandhi [10 Janpath] rang up @bibekdebroy, Director (Research) of RGICR after learning he had invited Editor of RSS' @eOrganiser, DEMANDING withdrawal of invitation. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Intolerance-has-always-existed-Niti-Aayogs-Bibek-Debroy/articleshow/49666174.cms](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DiIgflaW0AAs0YA.jpg "67. @INCIndia's Sonia Gandhi [10 Janpath] rang up @bibekdebroy, Director (Research) of RGICR after learning he had invited Editor of RSS' @eOrganiser, DEMANDING withdrawal of invitation. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Intolerance-has-always-existed-Niti-Aayogs-Bibek-Debroy/articleshow/49666174.cms")
68. @INCIndia's Mani Shankar Aiyar, who collected money for the Chinese during the 1962 war - an allegation he denies - ORDERED removal of a plaque commemorating Savarkar at the jail where he spent a decade in solitary confinement. Plaque was REMOVED. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT.
69. @INCIndia BANNED accredited @TimesNow news channel from attending @RahulGandhi's press conference. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. https://twitter.com/TimesNow/status/940466475646599168
70. @INCIndia lodged a complaint under section 66 with Bhopal Police cyber cell against BJP spokesperson @sureshnakhua for circulating a spoof video that parodied @RahulGandhi. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT.
71. @INCIndia's @KapilSibal BANNED from textbooks a 50 year old cartoon by Shankar; APOLOGISED for it being present in the first place. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/scholars-quit-textbook-body-as-government-bans-1949-cartoon/article3409271.ece
72. @INCIndia youth wanted to BURN copies of @TIME to protest its labelling PM Manmohan Singh as an Underachiever. They got confused and BURNT @timesofindia instead. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. (via @drmanny)
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/TN-Youth-Congress-mistakes-Times-for-Time/articleshow/14829440.cms?from=mdr
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/TN-Youth-Congress-mistakes-Times-for-Time/articleshow/14829440.cms?from=mdr
73. @INCIndia (UPA) ORDERED the BLOCKING of HUNDREDS of URLs, including twitter accounts of journalists @KanchanGupta & @ShivAroor. @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT.
74. @INCIndia's @sanjaynirupam DEMANDED that @imbhandarkar's film Indu sarkar be first screened for senior Congress leaders for a "no objection certificate". @RahulGandhi stayed SILENT. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/before-censors-congress-must-review-indu-sarkar-says-sanjay-nirupam-1720710 https://www.indiatimes.com/entertainment/celebs/congress-demands-ban-on-indu-sarkar-cbfc-chief-says-it-s-not-in-his-hands-to-ban-a-movie-326061.html
Freedom of Expression under @INCIndia from the time @RahulGandhi joined active politics (2004).
A man SO POWERFUL he could demand from his own govt the tearing up of its own Ordinance; a man who could have intervened in EACH of these instances but didn't. https://twitter.com/i/moments/1018424586545848320?lang=en
A man SO POWERFUL he could demand from his own govt the tearing up of its own Ordinance; a man who could have intervened in EACH of these instances but didn't. https://twitter.com/i/moments/1018424586545848320?lang=en
Both Nehru & Manmohan upheld Freedom of Expression, writes Prof Basu.
Freedom of Expression under Nehru: https://twitter.com/i/moments/927467502396772352
Freedom of Expression under Manmohan: https://twitter.com/i/moments/1088661849682268160
More than 50 documented violations. EACH.
Will @kaushikcbasu apologise now, please?
Freedom of Expression under Nehru: https://twitter.com/i/moments/927467502396772352
Freedom of Expression under Manmohan: https://twitter.com/i/moments/1088661849682268160
More than 50 documented violations. EACH.
Will @kaushikcbasu apologise now, please?
