SRINAGAR: Posting doctored videos, hate speech, or communally sensitive content on social media in Jammu district will invite strict legal action, including imprisonment of up to three years, officials said on Friday.
District Magistrate Jammu, Rakesh Minhas, has issued a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, banning the posting, sharing, or forwarding of such content for a period of 60 days. The order has come into immediate effect.
The directive applies to all individuals within the territorial jurisdiction of Jammu district and covers content posted from any location if it impacts public order in the district. It extends across all major social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and Telegram.
The order prohibits activities such as promoting enmity between communities on the basis of religion, race, caste, language or region; sharing morphed or misleading content; spreading rumours related to law and order; and using social media to incite or organise violence.
Officials said violations will attract action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000. Promoting enmity under Section 196(1) of the BNS carries a punishment of up to three years’ imprisonment, fine, or both, while offences affecting the sovereignty and integrity of India under Section 152 may attract up to seven years’ imprisonment or life sentence.
The order also places responsibility on administrators and moderators of social media groups and channels to ensure that prohibited content is not circulated. Social media intermediaries have been directed to promptly act on takedown requests through the government’s Sahyog platform, failing which they may lose safe-harbour protection under the IT Act.
The Senior Superintendent of Police, Jammu, has been instructed to ensure immediate registration of FIRs against violators. The Cyber Crime Unit will maintain round-the-clock monitoring of social media, while special monitoring cells will be set up at the sub-divisional level under the supervision of respective SDMs.
Residents have been advised to avoid sharing inflammatory content and to report such material to the nearest police station or the Cyber Crime Unit. The order will remain in force for 60 days unless modified or withdrawn earlier.
