Govt avoids direct reply on whether probe conducted into trolling of Sushma

The government today avoided a direct reply on whether an inquiry was conducted into the recent trolling of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on social media, saying in such cases, an investigation is ordered on the receipt of a complaint.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Prasun Banerjee had submitted a written question in the Lok Sabha on whether the government had conducted any inquiry into the trolling of Swaraj and if it had, whether the standard protocol was followed.

In a written reply, Union Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said, "On receipt of complaints from affected persons, law enforcement agencies require social media platforms to remove such content or block them from viewing and take up investigation and other action as per law against the culprits."
"In a democracy, difference of opinion is but natural. Please do criticise but not in foul language. Criticism in decent language is always more effective," the minister had written on Twitter
Another ministerial colleague of Swaraj, Ram Vilas Paswan, had tweeted, "I strongly condemn the shameful trolling campaign against Smt Shushma Swaraj Ji. She is a very senior Parliamentarian and we must respect each other (sic)."