High Court Probes Telegram Ban Ahead of NEET Retest Amid "Shocking Material" Claims
High Court Probes Telegram Ban Ahead of NEET Retest Amid "Shocking Material" Claims
Delhi High Court demands answers on Telegram ban before NEET retest. Government cites "shocking material," while Telegram argues illegality, impacting millions. Political leaders weigh in!
The Delhi High Court has stepped into the ongoing controversy surrounding the temporary ban on the messaging app Telegram, ahead of the crucial NEET-UG retest scheduled for June 21. The court has sought a response from the Centre regarding its decision to restrict access to the platform, following a challenge mounted by Telegram itself.
During the hearing, the government's representative, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, informed the bench that there is "shocking material" that would be shared with the court to justify the ban. He sought additional time to present the government's detailed stand, stating that concerns have been communicated to Telegram since May. The government maintains that the blocking order was issued under Section 69A of the IT Act and that a post-decisional hearing had already taken place with Telegram's representatives.
Telegram, through its counsel, has vehemently argued against the ban, calling it illegal and a blanket order that violates Article 14 of the Constitution. The platform highlighted that over 150 million users in India are affected by this restriction, including students who rely on it for study materials, educators, and businesses. Telegram's legal team asserted that it has cooperated with government requests by blocking specific channels whenever identified, and no emergency has been recorded to justify such a wide-ranging ban.
The ban has also drawn sharp criticism from political figures. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have both questioned the government's move. Gandhi specifically slammed the decision, suggesting it's a diversionary tactic that targets students rather than addressing the root cause of paper leaks. He even provocatively asked if WhatsApp would be next on the government's radar.
The government's action against Telegram is part of broader measures taken to ensure the integrity of the NEET-UG retest and prevent any recurrence of paper leaks, which marred the initial examination. These measures also reportedly include seeking assistance from the military. The court's proceedings will now be closely watched as it deliberates on the balance between national security/exam integrity and digital rights.
