Andhra Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan proposed the introduction of a 'Social Media Abuse Protection Bill' in the state Assembly, urging the government to take swift action against the growing problem of online harassment.
Speaking in the Assembly, Kalyan emphasised the need for the bill to be formulated after informed discussions and to be passed under the guidance of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
Kalyan expressed concern over the psychological abuse targeting public figures, especially women. "They didn't spare our Home Minister Anitha, they didn't leave the women in the house. The abuse has turned sadistic," he said. The proposed bill aims to protect citizens from such harassment and provide legal recourse against malicious online behaviour.
Drawing attention to the broader implications of social media abuse, Kalyan warned that the misuse of digital platforms has reached alarming levels, with political leaders using them to control and intimidate people. He referenced comments made by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy about the influence of social media armies, calling them "abusive cartels" designed to silence dissent.
Kalyan argued that this trend of cyber intimidation is detrimental to the democratic process and that Andhra Pradesh should lead by example in protecting the rights of its citizens. "When even someone like you, who has served as an MP, can be subjected to such treatment, imagine what the common man goes through," he stated
He further condemned the culture of fear created by political groups using social media to manipulate and control public opinion. "This mindset must change, and we must work towards ensuring that people can express themselves freely, without the threat of reprisal," Kalyan added.
His proposal comes amidst similar voices from other parties, including Congress's YS Sharmila who has been advocating for a safe social media space.
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