New Delhi: The Twitter username ‘True Indology’ was suspended after the account holder got into an online discussion with IPS officer D. Roopa over the claim that firecrackers were part of Hindu tradition and were mentioned in ancient texts.
The discussion, which began on Nov. 14, began with the premise of firecracker bans in various locations in light of rising air pollution levels during Diwali and additional health concerns due to the pandemic.
D. Roopa, who is the Secretary of the Interior for the Karnataka government, shared her Facebook post on Twitter asking why people have a problem with banning firecrackers. “… cookies are not mentioned in our epics and puranas,” he wrote. She said she is “horrified” to see that “intellectuals, respectable and highly educated citizens mock the crowd” for violating the rules on the prohibition of cookies.
He was then asked by several Twitter users if he would also question the customs of other religions.
A little later, according to news reports, the True Indology account claimed that crackers had been mentioned in ancient Indian scriptures. Roopa refuted the claim and asked True Indology for evidence to back up what he said.
Dear @TIinExile , you are bringing things that were not said. The Govt / NGT ban is based on certain criteria. As a person who works for the government, I will ask people to follow orders. The discussion between us was that cookies date back to very ancient times. I did not agree. 1/2 https://t.co/r1YtWw9Ntr
– D Roopa IPS (@D_Roopa_IPS) November 16, 2020
On Wednesday, the True Indology account was suspended. However, this is not the first time the account has faced action from the social media platform, according to reports. Delhi BJP leader Kapil Mishra tweeted that @TIinExile has been suspended for the second time.
The wire I found a Twitter account called ‘The True Archives of Indology’ who maintains a blog that archives True Indology posts in case the account is suspended. The account is not affiliated with @TIinExile, He says.
Several right-wing Twitter users protested on Twitter following the suspension of True Indology, questioning the abrupt move by the social media platform, which they said occurred without a warning.
Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut spoke out in support of True Indology and stated that Officer Roopa “became so vindictive that if she couldn’t win arguments with facts, she would simply @TIinExile removed “. After this, #BringBackTrueIndology started trending on Twitter.
The government appoints people as @D_Roopa_IPS to protect the fundamental rights of commoners, but look at your disgusting ignorance like a sore loser, you became so vindictive that if you couldn’t win the arguments with facts, you just understood @TIinExile removed. @D_Roopa_IPS https://t.co/6MP0lXxX9w
– Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) November 18, 2020
After its suspension, True Indology posted its version of the argument on Facebook. “I thank everyone who has tweeted in my support. Thanks a lot. Your support is much needed and greatly appreciated. While I am very saddened by what happened to my account, I am grateful and honored for your support, ”he wrote on Facebook.
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