Government blocks 240 weblinks related to provocative film

The government has blocked 240 web links related to a recent film that hurts sentiments of the Muslim community, to ensure that public order is not disturbed and integrity of the nation is maintained.

In a letter to former MP Mahmood A Madani, Telecom and IT Minister Kapil Sibal said that the "government will do everything possible to prevent and put an end to actions that might potentially disturb public order, tranquillity and integrity of the nation".

Madani had written a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh regarding grievances of Muslim community in India about a film.

"So far, Government of India has blocked more than 240 URLs (Uniform Resource Locator or web links). In addition, action is in progress to block ore URLs related to the said film to prevent circulation of provocative clips and videos of the film," Sibal said.

"Considering the fact that the said film, its trailers or clippings were distasteful and hurting the religious sentiments of entire Muslim community worldwide ... Department of Electronics & Information Technology has taken swift response measures to block a number of URLs relating to the said film," Sibal said in the letter.