Dear Editor,
In government, the Chief Minister, in government departments, the departmental heads and in government offices controlling officers are responsible for the smooth functioning. They are all paid public servants. In WhatsApp group, the administrator responsible for the WhatsApp group is also held responsibile for any activities that promote enmity or hatred by other group members. The existence of social media is very helpful as long as it concentrates on dissemination of correct news and information to the users. All that are circulated in social media are neither true in full nor false totally. Social media is a place of true and false news junction. Gullible group members cannot make out what is correct and what is false. If something goes wrong in WhatsApp group, the administrator will encounter problems for circulation of news or information that has far-reaching effects on the health of the society and nation. The Allahabad High Court has denied bail to WhatsApp Group Admin accused of spreading ‘Jihadi’ content. The cause title of the case is Inamul Haq v. State of U.P. (Neutral Citation No. 2023:AHC:161326). Justice Pankaj Bhatia observes “Although, the right to practise and propagate religion is guaranteed under Article 19, however, from the nature of allegations levelled in the FIR, the second part of Section 121-A IPC cannot be said to be not made out”. The charge against the applicant (admin wherever the word ‘applicant’ is used) who happens to be group admin is that this group has been created solely for dissemination of “jihadi literature”. The applicant was uploading the jihadi videos. The FIR claims that the applicant confessed to aspiring to become a jihadi and he had affiliation with lashkar group and for the last 15-16 years, he had managed the group. Of course, the confession made in police station is not a confession. The velocity of truth is uncovered in the courts. The group members were from various countries like India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Malaysia and Bangladesh. If the enmity and hatred are promoted in the group by other members, the admin cannot be a silent spectator. If he maintains silence, it is tacit support for the on-going activities. In this case, his personal involvement has also been established. Therefore the admin is fit to be in jail if the guilt is proved. In normal cases, it is unfair to target the admin. The group admin will not work for any monetary benefits. The group members should be held responsible for any activity that is repugnant to the law of the land and that threatens to disturb the healthy society and healthy nation. The threat of holding admins responsible for the fault of other group members has prompted many admins to bar the group members from directly posting anything. In such cases, the membership in the group would be almost redundant. When responsibility devolves on each of the members in the group, the members would think twice before posting anything. If the admin is only held responsible for the fault of all others, it would be free-for-all for others. WhatsApp group has been playing a very important role in reaching out to the people in respect of many news not covered by the print and electronic media. But the drawback is that it is also carrying many false news and information. This must be checked. If everyone in the group acts with responsibility, it would do more good. WhatsApp is the link that promotes new friendship and relationship and re-establishes the lost friendship and relationship. Meeting of mind with just a click away.
K.V. Seetharamaiah
