The Supreme Court on Friday slammed some state governments for taking action against citizens requesting medical treatment or oxygen supplies for their family or relatives, reported India Today.
“Let a strong message go across to all states that we will consider it a contempt of this court if any citizen is harassed for making a plea on social media/media for making an appeal for oxygen/beds etc.” said the Supreme Court.
It added: “Clampdown on information contrary to basic precepts. No state can clampdown on the information.”
Lately, social media has become a good resource for Covid patients, their families, and independent volunteers to spread the word of their need for medical help.
As per the reports, the Supreme Court raised the issue regarding the possibility of civil or criminal charges against citizens who post SOS messages on social media calling for assistance with oxygen shortages or drug scarcity.
It said, “We want to make it very clear that if citizens communicate their grievances on social media and the internet, then it cannot be said to be wrong information.”
Social media platforms have become a great tool that’s coming forward to help whoever requires it. Twitter India has been posting their medical requirements, including shortage of medical supply or unavailability of beds in hospitals in order to get help.
“We are not projecting ourselves in a bad light, we are projecting information. We are in a position of a national crisis. Let us hear the voices of our citizens,” the Supreme Court further added.
While the second wave of Covid-19 in India has made the situation grim, some state governments like the UP government were clamping down on Covid patients or their families for seeking help on social media.
