Sunday, 19 MAY 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Director general of police Abhinav Kumar has directed all the senior/superintendents of police to ensure strict action as per the directions of the State government to prohibit videography and filming of social media reels within 50 metres of the Char Dham temples.
Citing the directions of the State government issued on May 16, Kumar states that videography and making of social media reels was banned within a 50-metre radius of the Char Dham temple premises as such activities result in crowding in one place which causes considerable inconvenience to devotees. In compliance of the State government’s directions and in exercise of the power under section 21 of the Uttarakhand Police Act, 2007, all the senior/superintendents of police are directed to ensure that no person is allowed to carry out videography or make social media reels within a 50-metre radius of the Char Dham temple premises during the Yatra. Anyone found violating these directions will be deemed to be “committing a nuisance” for the purpose of section 81 of the Uttarakhand Police Act and shall be dealt with in accordance with this section read with section 83 of the Act. Additionally, an FIR shall also be registered under section 296 of the Indian Penal Code. In cases where there is evidence that while violating the aforesaid directions, a person intentionally and maliciously insults the religious beliefs or religion of a class of citizens of India, then an offence may also be registered under section 295A of the IPC. The DGP has further stated that all the district superintendents are expected to monitor social media regularly through their local intelligence units to ensure strict compliance with these orders. He stressed that on no account can social media be allowed to spread false, mischievous and hurtful information about the holy shrines associated with the Char Dham Yatra.
