Ban on 4PM YouTube channel lifted, SC told
New Delhi: The Supreme Court was apprised on Tuesday that the Union government has withdrawn its directive to block the YouTube channel 4PM News Network.
A bench of Justices B. R. Gavai and A. G. Masih were hearing a plea filed by journalist Sanjay Sharma challenging the Centre's directive to block his news channel on YouTube on the grounds of 'national security' and 'public order'.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing on the petitioner's behalf, submitted that since the blocking order has been withdrawn by the authorities, the prayer for interim relief has turned infructuous.
However, Sibal pressed the prayer contained in the petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Information Technology (IT) Blocking Rules, 2009. In view of the submission, the Apex Court ordered tagging the instant petition with the pending batch of pleas raising similar issues. Last week, the Justice Gavai-led Bench issued notice on the plea filed by the editor of the digital news platform and sought responses from the Union government, including the Ministry of Home Affairs, and YouTube.
When a prayer for interim relief was pressed, the Top Court had said that it was not inclined to pass any stay order without hearing from the government.
In his writ petition filed before the Apex Court, journalist Sanjay Sharma said that non-furnishing of the blocking order or underlying complaint violated statutory and constitutional safeguards.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
29 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Good governance of PM Modi will be written in golden letters, says Nadda
Union Minister and BJP chief J.P. Nadda addressed a press conference on Monday (June 9, 2025) on the completion of one year of the third term of PM Modi-led government in New Delhi. Mr. Nadda said 'Work done by PM Modi-led govt for good governance, welfare of poor will be written in golden letters.' The Union Minister added that 'PM Modi changed political culture in country, he made govt responsive, accountable.' Addressing a press conference on the completion of 11 years of the Modi Government at BJP HQ in New Delhi. — Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) June 9, 2025 Mr. Nadda cited Article 370 repeal, abolition of triple talaq, Waqf amendment, demonetisation, women quota bill among bold decisions of the BJP govfernment. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Monday (June 9, 2025) that under the 11 years of his government India has not just become the fastest-growing major economy but is also a key global voice on pressing issues like climate action and digital innovation. A clear focus on good governance and transformation, Mr. Modi said of the last 11 years as his government finished the first year of its third term on Monday (June 9, 2025). A link shared by him noted that 60% of the current Union Ministers are from the SC, ST and OBC categories, a message aimed at burnishing social justice credentials of his government amid attempts by opposition parties like the Congress to paint it as working against their interests. A clear focus on good governance and transformation! Powered by the blessings and collective participation of 140 crore Indians, India has witnessed rapid transformations across diverse sectors. Guided by the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 9, 2025 India's Vikas Yatra, showcased through interesting videos, infographics, articles and more on the NaMo App... Do explore. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 9, 2025 Mr. Modi had said, 'We are proud of our collective success but at the same time, we look ahead with hope, confidence and a renewed resolve to build a Viksit Bharat.' He used the hashtag of '11 year of seva' (11 years of service) with the post, while sharing links to the details of changes effected in different sectors. It said Mr. Modi has brought the politics of development, 'Vikasvaad' into the mainstream, making it the focal point around which political discourse and policy action now revolves. Since assuming office in 2014, 'India First' has guided his every policy and action, it added. It noted that over 81 crore people are getting free food grains, over 15 crore households have got tap water connections, over four crore houses built for the poor, 12 crore toilets were built, 68 lakh street vendors got loans, 52.5 crores loans given to small entrepreneurs, and 20 crores women were given cash assistance during Covid under different schemes.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Chandrababu Naidu looks back at his "most difficult" year, gives a peek into his Amaravati plan
N. Chandrababu Naidu , in an interview to ToI, said he considers his first year as Chief Minister during this fourth term as the most difficult yet. In the conversation with ToI's Robin David and Srikanth Aluri, he highlighted ongoing struggles against what he describes as "economic terrorists." Naidu believes these challenges stem from the previous YSRCP government's alleged mismanagement, which he claims has resulted in significant financial losses for the state. During the interview, Naidu detailed the financial burdens inherited from the last five years of governance. He pointed out the staggering Rs 9,000 crore loss from cancelled power purchase agreements, alongside Rs 55,000 crore wasted in the Polavaram project and further losses in Amaravati . In his view, rebuilding from such setbacks is no small feat. "Not minus 10, it was like minus 100 when I took over," he said, emphasising the scale of the economic challenges. Despite this, Naidu insists that growth is achievable through careful planning and technology. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Naidu is optimistic about achieving a 15% growth rate over the next 25 years. He believes this can be realised by integrating advanced technology into various sectors, including education and agriculture. "Everything is possible with vision, planning and foolproof execution," he stated, asserting that real-time data could significantly enhance productivity. The aim is to attract investments in defence and aerospace technologies, projecting that these sectors can create numerous job opportunities and boost exports, Naidu said. Live Events Regarding the capital's legal status, Naidu has reached out to the Union government to amend the AP Reorganisation Act to officially designate Amaravati as the state capital. He believes establishing legal sanctity is essential, but he remains committed to combating what he refers to as "evil elements" undermining the state's development. Naidu also expressed concerns about Andhra Pradesh 's representation in Parliament following the delimitation process. He noted that population shifts have affected the state's political standing, urging for a national population management strategy to ensure fair representation. Reflecting on the state's investment strategies, Naidu welcomed the growing competition among Chief Ministers to attract investments, stating, "As long as your brand is strong, people will be with you." He sees this as a positive development for the country. Naidu is keen on collaborating with the Gates Foundation to implement preventive healthcare solutions using artificial intelligence. He said he envisions Amaravati as a model for holistic healthcare, starting with a pilot project in Kuppam before expanding across the state. Naidu's ambitious plans include establishing a Quantum Valley in Amaravati, similar to Silicon Valley in the USA. He emphasised the importance of commercialising technology, especially in defence and aerospace, to stimulate job creation and economic growth. While Naidu acknowledged the need for improved social infrastructure in Amaravati, he assured that efforts are underway to develop the necessary facilities. The aim is to create a thriving ecosystem that benefits the entire region, not just Amaravati, he said.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
‘MO directorate advised Gen Vaidya not to use Army for operation in Golden Temple'
Former Army Chief General VN Sharma (retd) has made a startling revelation that the Military Operations Directorate had advised the then Army Chief General AS Vaidya that the Indian Army should not get involved in any operation to flush out Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his supporters from the Golden Temple as it was a political move. General VN Sharma has made this statement in the course of an interview to a former Judge Advocate General of the Army, Maj Gen Nilendra Kumar, on a YouTube channel-Lex Consilium Foundation. The interview was uploaded on the channel on June 5, a day ahead of the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star and has generated considerable number of views and comments. The 95-year-old General VN Sharma was serving as Additional Director General Military Operations (ADGMO) in the Military Operations (MO) directorate at the time Op Blue Star was launched. Lt Gen CN Somanna was the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) at the time while Maj Gen (later Lt Gen) VK Nayar was the other Additional Director General Military Operations in the directorate. Both, Somanna and Nayar have passed away many years back. Gen Sharma says in the interview that the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi wanted the Army to carry out the operation inside Golden Temple because the Punjab Police had refused to do so. 'Arun Vaidya was called to the Prime Minister's Office and was told that Bhindranwale had to be removed because he was getting too big for his boots, he doesn't listen to anyone so take the Army in. General Vaidya said okay,' Gen Sharma recalls. He says the Army Chief then arrived at the MO directorate and spoke to the DGMO and the two ADGMOs regarding the task to be done. 'We suggested to him that this was not a correct employment of the Indian Army. We explained that according to the Constitution the Indian Army cannot be used for political purposes by any government,' said Gen Sharma. He goes on to say that the then PM wanted the Army to do the task because the police had refused. 'So we told General Vaidya that it was not politically expedient because we cannot use the military for political purposes. She did a political stunt to put Bhindranwale there and now she was doing another political stunt to remove him by force using the Army since the police has refused,' says General Sharma in the interview. General Sharma goes on to say that the Army Chief General Vaidya was told my the three senior-most MO directorate officers that some other force like BSF, CRPF should be used and the Army should not intervene. 'He said she is the boss and when the boss says to jump you have to jump. We said no. You are a constitutional authority, the Army Chief, you have to ensure that the constitution is not violated. One option is to go to the Supreme Court and ask them as to whether this is legal or not legal. He said what do you expect me to do. We suggested that he go to her and tell her that it is not Army's job,' said General Sharma. The former Army Chief then goes on to say that General Vaidya went back to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and told her the view of the MO Directorate. He said that the PM then decided to approach the Western Army Commander Lt Gen K Sundarji directly in order to get the operation conducted since the Chief was reluctant. 'Vaidya's office told Sundarji to go meet the Prime Minister. He (Vaidya) came back to the MO directorate and told this has happened. We said sir 'maaf karo' you have no business to allow an Army Commander to go directly to the Prime Minister,' he said. General Sharma said the MO directorate was in touch with the staff of the Prime Minister's Office and came to know that General Sundarji had been asked to conduct the operation. 'When he (Sundarji) came out of there we rang him up and said that you may like to step into the MO directorate and discuss this issue with us. He said I am not interested in you people, I have got my orders and I am going to do it,' said General Sharma. The former Army Chief further says that the decision to use 9 Infantry Division, headquartered in Meerut was that of General Sundarji himself and not the MO directorate. He added that Sundarji's first choice was to approach GOC 15 Division (Maj Gen Jamwal) to do the task but he refused. 'Sundarji asked him to produce a battalion of infantry and some support some tanks or something to take on this job, he refused. He said it was a political situation and not for Army to get intervened,' said General Sharma. He says General Sundarji thereafter chose 9 Division commanded by Major General KS Brar and that one of the reasons was that he wanted Sikhs conducting Operation Blue Star and taking part in actual action on ground. During the course of the interview General Sharma also holds forth on the ethos of Indian Army training and obeying a lawful command. 'The Indian Army officers training during command is to be an independent officer. If you find something wrong don't do it. It is not a question of disobedience of orders. It is a question of obeying orders despite their better sense, because they are yes men and they want their promotion,' he said. General VN Sharma's remarks are bound to create a stir and the aspect of MO directorate opposing the use of Army has never been discussed in public.
