Gandhinagar, Jul 21 (IANS): Gujarat DGP Shivanand Jha on Tuesday issued a code of conduct for police personnel regarding their use of social media platforms. The intention behind the order is to restrict police personnel posting anything against the government or the police force or any criticism of either.

Jha issued the code of conduct under the provisions of clause 3 (1) of the Police Force (restrictions of rights) Act, 1966, which restricts police personnel's freedom of speech granted under article 19 of the Constitution. The order states that it should be implemented so that the police personnel do not post anything which violates the restrictions and force under the law.

Moreover, the police personnel should ensure that while posting anything on such platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp or YouTube, or forwarding and re-tweeting, the posts do not violate the rules and laws framed under the provisions of the Official Secrets Act, Information Technology Act, 2000 and also the Information Technology Amendment Act, 2008.

The code of conduct stipulates that the police officials and employees should refrain from making any political statements or involve themselves in political activities. They should not be a part of such groups on social media platforms which are formed endorsing any kind of agitation, campaign or moves formed for a specific religion, caste, sub caste or any specific strata of the society.

The order also raises concerns regarding the duties of the police force. It says that there should be no posts which criticises the police department or the state government or make public statements regarding the same on social media platforms.

When the social media is being used officially, there should be no personal opinion expressed on it. While posting anything personally, the personnel should clarify that their stand or statement on government activities are not official and that they are posting it in their personal or individual capacities.