West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressing “deep concern” over the alarming rise in provocative content on social media and increasing incidents of cybercrime across the country. She urged the Centre to take “urgent legislative and policy measures” to address what she described as a grave and growing threat to national security, public order, and social cohesion.
In her letter, Banerjee highlighted the “incendiary narratives, misleading stories and fake videos” being circulated online, which, she warned, are fueling criminal tendencies and communal discord. “Such content not only spreads misinformation but also has the potential to inflame communal sentiments, incite violence, disrupt societal harmony and indulge in crime against women,” the Chief Minister stated.
Referring to the instantaneous and far-reaching nature of digital platforms, Banerjee emphasised how these tools are being misused to spread misinformation rapidly. “The menace of cybercrime is growing both in complexity and in its detrimental impact,” she noted, citing increasing instances of financial fraud, identity theft, online harassment, and defamation.
Banerjee drew attention to the disproportionate impact of such crimes on vulnerable sections of society. “Women, children, the elderly, and those from economically weaker backgrounds… are often less equipped to identify, counter, or recover from such harm,” she wrote, adding that this trend is further deepening existing social inequities.
Calling for robust legal reforms, Mamata Banerjee wrote, “There is, therefore, an urgent need for stringent legislative provisions that can act as an effective deterrent against the creation and dissemination of provocative content and acts perpetrated with criminal intent in cyberspace.”
She also emphasised the role of public awareness and digital education, stating, “Many of our people remain unaware of the risks associated with consuming and sharing unverified content.” She urged the Centre to support and promote “sensitization programs, digital literacy campaigns, and community engagement initiatives” to empower citizens to safely navigate the online space.
The letter concludes with the Bengal Chief Minister requesting “priority consideration” from the Home Ministry, citing the “critical implications for national security, social cohesion, and the welfare of our citizens.”
