Fake: Viral message warning of social media surveillance over Ayodhya case

Ahead of the impending Supreme Court verdict on the Ayodhya case, WhatsApp is rife with rumours and misinformation. A message which has gone viral over the past few days states that with the upcoming Ayodhya verdict, new rules for public communication will come into effect.

The message states that all calls will be recorded, all call recordings will be saved, and social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook would be monitored, as would WhatsApp. It further states all personal electronic devices will be connected to systems in the ministry. The message then warns readers not to forward posts or videos which are critical of the government or the Prime Minister, and asserts that writing or sending objectionable messages of political or religious nature would constitute a crime, inviting arrest without a warrant.

The message has also been posted on Facebook.

UP POLICE RUBBISHES RUMOUR

UP police has confirmed via Twitter that the aforementioned message is a hoax. It is one of several such messages circulating in Ayodhya. On November 5, the Twitter account of Ayodhya police uploaded an image of a news report titled, ‘सोशल मीडिया के माध्यम से अशांति फ़ैलाने की हो रही है नाकाम कोशिश’ (Efforts to spread disharmony via social media rendered futile- translation). Ayodhya police tweeted with the hashtag #UPPAgainstFakeNews.

#UPPInNews #ayodhyapolice @Uppolice @adgzonelucknow @igrangeayodhya@dgpup @IpsAshish @UPPViralCheck
#UPPAgainstFakeNews @aajtak @ABPNews @ZeeNews pic.twitter.com/gVPRKY6fS3

— AYODHYA POLICE (@ayodhya_police) November 5, 2019

The news report tweeted by Ayodhya police specifically refers to the aforementioned message as fake. The report has been filed from Ayodhya, and refers to attempts being made via social media to spread rumours before the verdict. The report states that such efforts by mischief mongers have been neutralized by prompt action on the part of the police in the district, where several peace committee meetings among citizens have been organized.

SSP-AYODHYA @IpsAshish के निर्देशन में जनपद के समस्त क्षेत्राधिकारी/थाना प्रभारियों द्वारा अपने-अपने थाना क्षेत्र में आगामी मा0 सर्वोच्च न्यायालय द्वारा प्रस्तावित निर्णय के परिपेक्ष में सम्भ्रान्त व्यक्तियों के साथ पीस कमेटी की मीटिंग की गई। @Uppolice @dgpup @adgzonelucknow pic.twitter.com/PLIGLMBtAD

— AYODHYA POLICE (@ayodhya_police) November 4, 2019

Moreover, ANI UP has reported that the DM of Ayodhya has prohibited social media messages and posters relating to the Ayodhya dispute over concerns of disturbance to communal harmony. The prohibition will be in force till December 28, 2019.

Ayodhya District Magistrate, Anuj Kumar Jha prohibits social media messages & posters on Ayodhya land case, that could disturb communal harmony, in view of upcoming festivals & verdict in Ayodhya land case. Prohibition will stay in force till 28th December, 2019.

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) November 4, 2019

It may be noted that the viral message, warning readers of surveillance of social media accounts and personal devices in light of the Ayodhya verdict, is a hoax.