Union Ministers block social media users on Twitter. Is it fair to do so?

“While Cong and JDS fight for portfolios, PM ensures relief work in Karnataka, from Indonesia!” This message was posted on Twitter by several BJP leaders including two union ministers in a coordinated political campaign on social media, after heavy rains lashed coastal Karnataka. What is interesting however is that union minister Sadananda Gowda blocked a user when it was pointed out to him that his tweet was an exercise in copy-paste.

Hello, @DVSBJP & @AnanthKumar_BJP. You two are supposed to be Union Ministers. Aren’t you ever ashamed of copy-pasting tweets like this or letting your accounts be misused like this? https://t.co/nSIYzQioul

— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) May 29, 2018

Pointing out to a Union Minister that copy pasting tweets is not what a Union Minister should do gets you this. pic.twitter.com/8Pjow6XBxY

— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) May 30, 2018

The propensity to block social media users who ask uncomfortable questions or resort to mockery is not restricted to Mr. Gowda but extends to other ministers as well.

Sushma Swaraj

Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj has been questioned by netizens whom she has blocked on Twitter. This issue had been raised by Alt News earlier in an article which can be read here.

I simply expressed my surprise over her misleading statement and Indian Minister @SushmaSwaraj blocked me. Wow!
She’s not just a mere individual to entertain ‘blocking right’, is she?
Does this show how democratic and tolerant @PMOIndia‘s ministers are? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/FC1wfvY25O

— [keshuvko] (@keshuvko) May 28, 2018

Minister of external affairs of India, @SushmaSwaraj has blocked me for saying she is minister for India and not BJP. After rijiju& babul, its sushma G. Wtf.BJP harps on abt #DigitalIndia &can’t stand a tweet that doesn’t praise them 🤦 #bjpfails #BJP_भगाओ_देश_बचाओ #MegalosOfBJP pic.twitter.com/ooFTfYRd0E

— Saileena (@saileenas) May 11, 2018

I endorsed what our Hon’ble Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said and I have been blocked now. @i_me_myself @AkramWaseem2 @be_with_it @mpmnayeem @__Parvez @jonykutty pic.twitter.com/gTINwY2dyh

— Simplysafi (@simplysafi) May 22, 2018

Kiren Rijiju

Minister of State for Home, Kiren Rijiju has blocked people on Twitter after he was asked uncomfortable questions by netizens.

@sanjayuvacha Check this out. Raise a question & get ready to be blocked by Kiren Rijiju. pic.twitter.com/iGIpz5YWr2

— Pling Em 🇮🇳 (@PlingEm) February 24, 2017

On my simple criticism Mr Kiren Rijiju blocked me. This shows how much he respects Freedom of Speech pic.twitter.com/SA1zTrTpGZ

— Ajay Sah (@ajaysahspeaks) February 27, 2017

Babul Supriyo

Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Babul Supriyo too is known to block netizens on Twitter.

For 3 tweets calling him out for trivializing stalking, Union Minister Babul Supriyo blocks me, as he must have blocked others for the same pic.twitter.com/80UEvjB4gO

— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) August 8, 2017

I replied Babul Supriyo on his comments on IPL auction… and he blocked me on twitter 😂😂😂😂😂 @TimesNow @timesofindia @abpanandatv @abpnewstv @ZeeNews pic.twitter.com/IMzpEs5TCp

— Arghya Khanra (@ArghyaKhanra) February 24, 2018

Recently in the USA, a federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump cannot block users on Twitter since this constitutes ‘viewpoint discrimination’ and violates the First Amendment which calls for freedom of expression. The ruling added that the section of his personal account with the reply button is a public forum and blocking users on the basis of political speech is a violation of their right to free speech.

The moot question is whether those who hold public office, in this case union ministers, block people from following them? These ministers have a presence on social media not just in their personal capacity but by virtue of holding public office, also in a public capacity. The central government has promoted e-governance in a big way after assuming power. Several union ministers too have encouraged greater use of digital tools to ensure greater transparency and access to public officials. For instance, Sushma Swaraj has often been approached via Twitter by Indians abroad seeking resolution of various issues. Blocking netizens would place them at a serious disadvantage in such a scenario.

Alt News believes that whatever the nature and extent of provocation, a minister should not block a citizen from access. As public officials holding portfolios that may require active intervention and outreach at key moments, selective barring of individuals is disadvantageous to citizens.