New Delhi: The ban on 59 Chinese apps including the popular video app TikTok by the Indian government Monday, caught the fancy of Twitter users immediately and was the subject of many comments.
In case one is looking for the reason behind the ban, Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad offers several.
For safety, security, defence, sovereignty & integrity of India and to protect data & privacy of people of India the Government has banned 59 mobile apps.
Jai Hind! ??— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) June 29, 2020
AAP leader Sanjay Singh is not convinced, though.
App बंद करने की नौटंकी इसलिये की गई कि चंदा वापस करने की माँग पीछे हो जाय Paytm tiktok समेत तमाम कम्पनियों से PM Cares में सैंकड़ों करोड़ चंदा लिया गया है इसमें वो कम्पनियाँ भी शामिल हैं जिनका सम्बंध चीनी सेना है इन कम्पनियों का चंदा वापस करो मोदी जी। pic.twitter.com/XPkBZwtE2E
— Sanjay Singh AAP (@SanjayAzadSln) June 30, 2020
According to ethical hacker Elliot Alderson, the ban actually reflects badly on India. Find out why.
The real question is: Why India is unable to create an alternative to these apps?
Lack of skills? money? motivation?
This ban is not a success, it’s a failure for India. https://t.co/zb1d3p1eHz
— Elliot Alderson (@fs0c131y) June 29, 2020
Congress’ Sanjay Jha chimes in with an ominous warning for the BJP in the term TikTok.
On China, dear BJP, the clock is ticking……. tik-tok !
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) June 30, 2020
TMC MP Abhijeet Banerjee calls PM Modi hypocritical for using one of the banned apps just a week ago. His party senior Derek O’ Brien joins in.
Hello, Modi Ji. This ?MP is calling you a hypocrite to your face.
Awaiting your response. https://t.co/FENWti4082
— Derek O'Brien | ডেরেক ও'ব্রায়েন (@derekobrienmp) June 30, 2020
Check out music composer Vishal Dadlani’s rather convincing analogy on the app ban.
Banning Apps is to China, what Taali/Diyas were to Coronavirus.
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) June 29, 2020
Someone finally said it — what about the NaMo app and its privacy concerns?
It is good that Modi Govt is protecting the privacy of 130cr Indians by banning 59 Chinese apps. The NaMo app also violates privacy of Indians by accessing 22 data points, surreptitiously changing the privacy settings and sending data to third party companies in US. #BanNaMoApp
— Prithviraj Chavan (@prithvrj) June 30, 2020
BJP’s spokesperson Sambit Patra keeps it short and crisp. Must have been tough for him.
START DELETING
— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) June 29, 2020
Yoga guru Ramdev emphasises atmanirbharta, now that Chinese ‘colonisation’ is over.
मोदी सरकार द्वारा #चाइनीसएप्स पर प्रतिबंध के फैसले का अभिनंदन।
सांस्कृतिक व आर्थिक गुलामी की प्रतीक सभी चाइनीज ऐप्स व विदेशी कंपनियों का बहिष्कार करें!
आइये हम सब स्वदेशी का व्रत लें व सुपर पावर भारत बनाये।#tiktokbanned #ChineseAppsBanned #BanTiktok@ANI @ani_digital pic.twitter.com/AgTOcH1mvd— स्वामी रामदेव (@yogrishiramdev) June 29, 2020
Designer Farah Khan Ali coins a couplet to explain the India-China Tik for tat.
China changing maps,
India banning apps!— Farah Khan (@FarahKhanAli) June 29, 2020
Psephologist Yashwant Deshmukh calls for another ban, one that will make many of us jobless!
बस साला एक बार ये ट्टविटर भी बैन हो जाए तो दलिद्दर कटे। तुम रूठे हम छूटे वाला हिसाब ही सही, बवाल तो ख़तम हो !
— Yashwant Deshmukh ?? (@YRDeshmukh) June 29, 2020
Moving on to the coronavirus, AAP leaders Satyender Jain and Atishi Marlena who contracted the virus, offer their help now.
With good wishes of everyone I am recovering at home now.
Plasma bank announcement by Hon'ble CM @ArvindKejriwal is a revolutionary step. Plasma therapy saved my life from Corona virus and I pledge to donate my plasma as soon as medical protocols will allow.— Satyendar Jain (@SatyendarJain) June 29, 2020
As a recovering Covid-positive patient, I have decided to donate my plasma, as soon as I’m medically fit to do so. I urge all recovered patients to come forward, donate their plasma and save those who are battling for their lives due to a severe Covid infection! #PlasmaBank pic.twitter.com/XrPwyh6juC
— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) June 29, 2020
US Senator Marco Rubio has pledged his allegiance to one side in the India-China clash. Find out which one…
Today I spoke to @SandhuTaranjitS to express our solidarity with the people of #India as they firmly confront unwarranted & lawless armed aggression by the Communist Party of #China.
India has made it clear,they will not be bullied by Beijing.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 29, 2020
And finally, how `Sleepy Joe’ hit a birdie in his match-up with President Donald Trump
The President spent his weekend golfing. pic.twitter.com/zQepsL9lUp
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) June 29, 2020
With inputs from Pia Krishnankutty