We have written to Instagram, Facebook regarding violation of laws by Rahul Gandhi: NCPCR chief Priyank Kanoongo

NEW DELHI: About a week after complaining to micro-blogging site Twitter regarding the alleged violation of rules by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has written to Instagram and Facebook to take action in the matter as similar posts still exist on these two social media platforms.
Talking to TOI, NCPCR chairperson Priyank Kanoongo said, “Two-three days ago, we sent notices to Instagram and Facebook stating that Rahul Gandhi’s posts violate Indian laws and, therefore, action must be taken in the matter.”
Kanoongo said he was hopeful of an action on the notices that he has sent to the two social media platforms. “If Instagram and Facebook do not take any action then we would approach the Delhi Police and lodge an FIR. Our job is to take suitable action whenever laws are violated,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi’s account on Instagram and Facebook may also get locked if the two take action against his controversial posts.
About a week ago, NCPCR had sent notices to Twitter and the Delhi Police to take action against Rahul Gandhi’s handle and remove the tweets.
Subsequently, Twitter locked Rahul Gandhi’s Twitter and removed the “objectionable” tweets.
Twitter’s action has created a storm in Indian politics.
The controversy started after Rahul Gandhi on August 4 visited the family of the nine-year-old Delhi Dalit girl who was allegedly gang-raped and murdered earlier this month. He later posted some pictures of the victim’s family on Twitter.
The BJP complained to NCPCR and the Delhi Police alleging that Rahul Gandhi had acted against laws and revealed the identity of the victim by posting the photographs of her family members.
On its part, NCPCR sent notices to Twitter and the Delhi Police after it received complaint from an NGO Dalit Positive Movement. Twitter locked Rahul Gandhi’s handle on August 7.
The Congress leaders objected to the action alleging that the National Commission of Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and its member Anju Bala had posted the pictures of the victim’s family one and two days before Rahul Gandhi did the same but no action was taken against them.
When asked, NCPCR chairperson Kanoongo said Rahul Gandhi deliberately posted the pictures and that they revealed the identity of the victim while there was no such violation by NCSC or its member.
He said NCPCR has the mandate to monitor and protect child rights under various provisions of the POCSO Act and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. The notices to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook have been issued under these laws.
Meanwhile, while protesting against Twitter’s action, several Congress leaders posted photographs of the victim’s family once again. Twitter on August 12 locked the handles of 23 Congress leaders and seven of the party.