Indian map without Kashmir lands Twitter official in hot water

New Delhi (dpa), 29 June, 2021 - The head of Twitter in India is facing criminal charges after the internet service displayed a map of India that showed disputed regions as being separate from the country.

This is the second time this month that police have registered a case against Twitter chief Manish Maheshwari amid growing tensions between the social media giant and the Indian government.

The map, displayed in the “Tweep Life” section, showed two regions - Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh - as separate countries. It was removed late on Monday following a backlash.

Kashmir is a sensitive issue for New Delhi. Both India and Pakistan administer portions of it, but claim the region in its entirety. The Indian government routinely lashes out when media organizations do not include Kashmir as part of India on its maps.

Suresh Kumar, a police officer in northern Uttar Pradesh state, said Maheshwari and another Twitter official, Amrita Tripathi had been booked under sections of the Indian Penal Code and India IT (Amendment) Act, 2008.

“The complainant, a local lawyer, mentioned that the incorrect map of India has hurt his sentiments and of other Indians. We have initiated a probe and will take necessary action,” Kumar said.