• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday criticised the Uttar Pradesh government's newly introduced digital media policy, which offers financial incentives for social media influencers to promote government schemes while threatening legal action against those who post "objectionable content." 

Asaduddin Owaisi stated that the policy is a cover-up for the government's failures. "To cover up its failures, Yogi Adityanath has started a new scheme. Under this scheme, one can earn up to 8 lakh rupees by falsely praising Baba on social media," Owaisi wrote in Hindi on X.

The Hyderabad MP further accused the government of targeting those who oppose it, saying, "If you even legally oppose Baba or his party, you will be declared anti-national and sent to jail. Now the IT cell people will run their household with your tax money."

ALSO READ: 'Dividing People’: Oppn Leaders React To Yogi Adityanath's 'Batenge To Katenge' Remark

The Uttar Pradesh government's digital media policy, approved during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, aims to utilise social media platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to disseminate information about state welfare schemes and achievements. The policy categorises social media accounts into four tiers based on their number of followers and subscribers, with influencers receiving monthly payments ranging from 2 lakh to 8 lakh rupees, depending on their platform and tier. 

Principal Secretary of the Information Department, Sanjay Prasad, stated that the policy would enhance the visibility of government initiatives and create employment opportunities for Uttar Pradesh residents, both domestically and abroad. However, the policy also includes stringent measures against those posting content deemed "objectionable, vulgar, obscene or anti-national," with legal action being threatened against violators.

ALSO READ: Akhilesh Yadav Demands Defamation Case Against BJP MLA Over 'Derogatory' Remarks Against BSP Supremo Mayawati

The BJP defended the policy, hailing it as an innovative move to create jobs and curb misinformation. However, opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party and Congress, have voiced strong objections. 

The Opposition argues that the policy is an attempt to stifle freedom of expression and misuse public funds. The Samajwadi Party criticised the policy, stating that it was designed to reward those who falsely praise the government while punishing those who raise public issues on social media.