Delhi HC Seeks Govt Reply on Telegram Ban Amid NEET Retest Row
Delhi HC Seeks Govt Reply on Telegram Ban Amid NEET Retest Row
India's Delhi High Court asks the government to justify the temporary ban on Telegram, affecting 150 million users, ahead of the NEET-UG retest. Get the full story!
The Delhi High Court has stepped into the ongoing dispute between messaging app Telegram and the Indian government, asking the Centre to explain its temporary ban on the platform. This move comes as Telegram challenges the restriction, which was implemented just before the NEET-UG retest scheduled for June 21.
The government, represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, informed the court that it possesses "shocking material" regarding Telegram channels involved in examination-related activities. Mehta sought additional time to present this evidence, emphasizing that the government has been communicating its concerns to Telegram since May. The blocking order was issued under Section 69A of the IT Act, and a post-decisional hearing with Telegram representatives has already taken place.
Telegram, however, argues that the blanket ban is illegal and violates Article 14, which ensures equality before the law. Their counsel, senior advocate Dhruv Mehta, highlighted that the ban affects over 150 million users in India, including students, educators, and businesses who rely on the platform for legitimate purposes. Telegram maintains that it has cooperated with government requests, promptly removing specific channels identified by authorities. They contend that no emergency has been formally recorded to justify such a sweeping ban, especially given their proactive measures to address concerns.
Adding another layer to the controversy, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has publicly alleged that the ban efforts are being orchestrated by "Reliance and WhatsApp." This claim suggests potential competitive motives behind the government's action.
Meanwhile, the chief of the National Testing Agency (NTA), the body conducting the NEET exam, has stated that every step taken, including the Telegram ban, is in the interest of the 22 lakh young minds appearing for the re-test. The NTA's priority is to ensure a safe and secure examination process, free from irregularities.
