The government has warned Twitter over 'inflammatory content' posted on the platform over ongoing farmers' protest. Government has asked Twitter to either follow its orders regarding the removal of "inflammatory content" on farmers' protests or be ready to face jail and financial penalty. The action, under the IT Act Section 69A (3), could result in up to seven years jail for senior Twitter India officials, and a financial penalty on the firm. The government issued the ultimatum after Twitter refused to comply with its request to block 257 accounts that had used the hashtag #ModiPlanningFarmerGenocide. The company had initially "withheld" the accounts, but later unblocked them, citing "free speech" and "newsworthy" content. An angry IT ministry, headed by Ravi Shankar Prasad, hit back on Wednesday, warning the company to comply with its instructions — which, it said, had been given keeping public order in mind and in order to diffuse tension and hatred. 'Twitter is an intermediary and they are obliged to obey directions of the government. Refusal to do so will invite penal action,' the IT ministry said in a notice sent to the company.