Centre warns Twitter's CEO after it misrepresents India's map & shows Leh & J&K in China

In a significant development, Ajay Sawhney, Secretary of  Ministry of Electronics and IT has written a letter to Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter, conveying strong disapproval of Indian government over misrepresentation of map of India. Twitter had shown geo-location of Leh in 'Jammu and Kashmir, People’s Republic of China' and failed to fix its misrepresentation first time around. 

As per sources, in letter, Secretary of Electronics and IT ministry has asked to Twitter to respect sensitivities of Indian citizens and emphasized that any attempt by Twitter to disrespect sovereignty and integrity of India, which is also reflected by maps, is totally unacceptable. Indian government representative has also said in his letter that it is unlawful to do so. Giving a stern warning to Twitter, Sawhney has pointed out that such an incident brings disrepute to Twitter but and raises questions about its neutrality and fairness. Secretary IT has categorically stated that Leh is headquartered of Union Territory of Ladakh and both Ladakh as well as Jammu and Kashmir are integral and inalienable parts of India governed by Constitution of India. 

National Security Analyst Nitin Gokhale who highlighted outrous discrepancy said, " government has written a letter w after I pointed out amaly. It is high time that Twitter fixes all problems. On Sunday y showed Leh as part of  China and on Monday y showed Leh as part of Jammu and Kashmir which is incorrect. Leh is w part of UT of Ladakh. I don't kw if Twitter has taken a step to that point because if y haven't n this amounts to Twitter disregarding government's decision to reorganize J&K into UTs. If thing else, government should impose a hefty penalty for violating Indian laws. I hope Government's letter mentions all this fact." 

READ | Twitter Terms Displaying Leh In 'J&K, People's Republic Of China' As 'technical Issue'

Twitter displays J&K as part of China

On October 18, Twitter came under fire again for displaying Jammu-Kashmir's Leh as a part of 'People's Republic of China'. National Security Analyst Nitin Gokhale who was live on Twitter near Leh airport, ticed that his location was displaying as 'Jammu and Kashmir, People's Republic of China'. This amaly was raised by Observer Research Foundation (ORF) chairman Kanchan Gupta to Twitter India, stating that it was t an 'isolated incident', but that several netizens who were logging online faced same issue.

Taking to Twitter, Gokhale had narrated, "This morning, I was live on Twitter along with Rohit Pandita to apprise people of my journey to Ladakh from Himachal Pradesh via a new road. After we finished our broadcast, to our horror, we found that location we had put of our location of War Memorial, Hall of Fame - a famous landmark in Leh came as Jammu and Kashmir, People's Republic of China. I apprised Twitter by tagging m, expecting m to take action, but except for anger from people of India, thing happened."

He added, "We tried again by doing an experimental live with a different broadcast, but again same results came up. Even w if you go live in areas near Leh airport, Leh's Hall of fame, it shows as 'J&K, People's Republic of China'. I do t kw why this is happening, but it is my duty to inform you about it." 

READ | SHOCKING: Twitter Shows India's Leh In 'Jammu-Kashmir, People's Republic Of China'

Twitter's spokesperson n issued a statement on same saying that y were aware of sensitivities around issue of Kashmir. statement also stated that teams are investigating to resolve concerned geo-tagging issue. "We became aware of this technical issue on Sunday, & understand & respect sensitivities around it. Teams have worked swiftly to investigate & resolve concerned geotag issue."

READ | After extricating Leh's geotag from 'China', Twitter glosses over Article 370's abrogation

Twitter's previous slights with respect to India

This has t been Twitter's first such error with regards to India. After abrogation of article 370, Republic TV had exposed vicious fake news campaign on social media by Pakistan by sharing an edited video of Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami. heavily edited video from Republic TV's Sunday Debate with Arnab Goswami from February 24 - just ten days after horrific Pak-backed Pulwama terror attack was shared by handles from Pakistan with malintent and with an aim to propagate ISI propaganda. While original tweet had been deleted, several such copies were being circulated and Twitter did t take action.

Similarly, Pakistan President Arif Alvi had posted out a video trying to "show" world about 'atrocities in J&K', claiming it to be from Srinagar, in August 2019. Inspite of J&K administration clarifying it that it was fake, Twitter refused to take action against fake news peddled by Pakistan. micro-blogging website, in its mail to Pakistan President claimed that it investigated fake news posted by Arif Alvi and that it could t identify any violation of Twitter Rules or applicable laws. Apart from failing to act on fake news, micro-blogging site has been accused of condoning caste discrimination and hierarchy on its social media platform, with activists demanding equality in blue ticks- all or ne.