Karnataka govt to monitor Dharmasthala social media posts, will act against posts inciting tensions
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Bengaluru: Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Friday said the state government is keeping a close watch on social media posts related to the alleged mass burial case in Dharmasthala and will take action against any content that could incite tensions in society.
The government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe claims made by a former sanitation worker, who alleged that between 1995 and 2014 he was forced to bury multiple bodies, including those of women and minors, some of which showed signs of sexual assault.
“We are watching it and if in any way they are instigating feelings in the society, we will try to stop them. We are taking action against hate speech-related cases as you are aware. We will keep watch on such postings that may create an impact (on the society) wrongly,” Parameshwara told reporters, recalling previous actions against communal posts in Dakshina Kannada district.
SIT chief Pronab Mohanty, who is also Karnataka’s Director General of Police (Internal Security Division), met Parameshwara at his residence on Friday amid speculation that he could be replaced after his name appeared on a list of Director General-rank officers being considered for central government postings.
Parameshwara clarified that the meeting was not related to the Dharmasthala investigation. “Mohanty's name is there in the list of empanelment of Director General-rank officers to serve in the union government. But he will not be immediately given any posting (at Centre). He had come to inform me about it. Also, as the government is bringing rules regarding fake news, online gambling -- Mohanty being the Internal Security Division head, had come to brief me about certain things ahead of the meeting in this regard today,” he said.
The minister added that the decision to relieve Mohanty of his state duties for a central posting would depend on an official request from the Centre. “No such communication has come from the Centre yet. It is only an empanelment,” he said.
