Twitter warns trolls after hate campaign against slain Lankesh

SEVERAL TWITTER USERS SPEWED HATRED AND TROLLED THE SENIOR JOURNALIST

FOR HER ALLEGED SUPPORT TO NAXALS, OR MAOIST EXTREMISTS

Social media platform Twitter warned on Wednesday that those violating its policies may find their accounts locked or suspended.

The warning follows venomous tweets directed toward slain journalist Gauri Lankesh.

Lankesh, who ran the Gauri Lankesh Patrike magazine, was gunned down outside her Bengaluru home on Tuesday night. The crime brought back chilling memories of the murders of at least three rationalists and leftleaning thinkers since 2013.

The killing of the 55-year-old Lankesh, a known critic of religious superstitions and rightwing Hindu ideas, triggered nationwide protests and condemnations.

But several Twitter users spewed hatred and trolled the senior journalist for her alleged support to Naxals, or Maoist extremists.

The hate posts prompted Twitter to announce: “We want people to feel safe expressing diverse opinions and beliefs but we draw the line when it comes to behavior that crosses the line into abuse, including behaviour designed to consciously harass, intimidate, or silence another person’s voice.”

A spokesperson said those who violate Twitter’s policies may find their “account temporarily locked, or be subject to permanent suspension”.

Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad too condemned the “messages on social media expressing happiness on the dastardly murder”.

“Expressing happiness on the killing of anyone is shameful, regrettable and totally against Indian traditions. Social media is not for that,” he tweeted on Wednesday.

Twitter trolls suggested Lankesh got what she deserved and questioned why the Karnataka government gave her a state funeral.

Some also questioned the “fuss” over the protests.