Terming social media “anarchic”, RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy on Tuesday advocated the need to explore the option of banning it.
He was speaking at an event to mark National Press Day.
Delivering the keynote speech at the event organised by the Press Council of India, Gurumurthy said social media was an impediment on the path of an “orderly society”.
His suggestions were opposed by some senior members of the council who were present at the event held at the Constitution Club of India in Delhi.
Gurumurthy said China has “destroyed” social media, while even the Indian Supreme Court has expressed concern over its role.
“We may even have to ban them (social media platforms). Did we not exist without Facebook?” said Gurumurthy, who edits the Tamil political weekly Thuglak, pointing out the role of social media in fomenting unrest in countries like Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
Later, responding to a question, he said while a “ban” may sound tough, he believes that “anarchy should be banned”. Speaking on the topic ‘Who is Not Afraid of Media’, Gurumurthy urged the council to carry out a thorough documentation of the role of social media platforms.
“You can eulogise even anarchy…there is some good in revolutions and mass killings also. But that is not how you create an orderly society, which is built on sacrifices,” Gurumurthy said, responding to an intervention on the positive aspects of social media.
