The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said it had blocked apps, website and social media accounts of Punjab Politics TV.
• The Ministry said the channel had close links with the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice SFJ), and it attempted to use the online media to disturb public order during the ongoing Punjab Assembly election.
• The SFJ was proscribed by the government under the Unlawful Activities Prevention) Act in 2019. Members of the organisation have been accused of trying to revive terrorism in Punjab.
• It’s chief, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has also been declared a terrorist. Pannun also has alleged links with key functionaries of other banned pro-Khalistan outfits, Including Babbar Khalsa International, Khalistan Tiger Force and International Sikh Youth Federation.
• The Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) was enacted in 1967.
• The 2004 amendment was to ban organisations for terrorist activities, under which 34 outfits, including the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad, were banned.
• The 2019 amendment gave the Home Ministry the power to designate individuals as terrorists.