Law enforcement agencies shouldn't abuse IT Act: Prasad

'Distressed' at the arrest of a Bareilly student for a Facebook comment, Communication and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today said law enforcement agencies should not "abuse" the IT Act and asked politicians to be tolerant towards criticism, especially on social media.
"I appeal to the law enforcement agencies all over the country to be alive to the sensitivity involved while exercising powers to arrest under section 66A of the IT Act," he said.
This controversial section of Act provides for up to three years of jail for those found to be sending offensive messages using his or her computing device

Earlier this week, a Class XII boy from a Bareilly school in UP was arrested for allegedly posting on Facebook 'objectionable' comment against senior SP leader and Uttar Pradesh Minister Azam Khan. He was sent to jail by a local court after being booked by police under the IT Act and for breach of peace.
Prasad said the government fully supports the right of citizens to communicate on social media, while states need to follow the central advisory so that "there is no abuse of section 66(A) of the Information Technology Act".
"I am deeply distressed over the arrest of a young school boy in Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh on sharing a questionable Facebook comment, which according to him was unintentional. His arrest has made me very uncomfortable and I am assuming that bail has been granted to him," the Minister said in an official statement.

Prasad said social media has seen phenomenal growth in India and in this digital age of communication and exchange of ideas particularly by young minds must be appreciated and complemented.
"Those who are in politics must learn to be tolerant even in the face of criticism," he added.
In the recent past, there have been quite a few cases where people were arrested under this controversial law for their 'objectionable' comments on social media.