Purity of Indian democracy too sacred, EC monitoring use of social media: Prasad

IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Wednesday sounded a warning to social media companies not to allow their platforms to be abused to influence elections, and said the Election Commission is maintaining vigil on the issue.

Stating that the purity of Indian democracy is "too sacred", the minister said while the use of social media for campaigning was okay, platforms should ensure that the data is not abused under any cimcumstances.

Asked if the IT ministry was monitoring the situation, he said the Election Commission (EC) is already monitoring it and also has the power to take action.

Prasad said, "the Election Commission is already monitoring it (situation). Let them monitor it...They held a meeting...it is only appropriate and desirable that the EC must monitor, co-ordinate and lay the ground rule for working of social media during elections.

"On my side, I can only make this observation that the purity of Indian democracy is too sacred, and social media please ensure that the data is not abused to influence election. If someone wants to use social media for campaigning I have no problem."