Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal would have been an internationally designated fake news peddler and misinformation spreader had India’s Foreign Minister, Dr S Jaishankar not saved him. Singapore is infuriated with the absurd comments made by Arvind Kejriwal about a “Singapore variant” of the novel Coronavirus which the Delhi CM claimed has been causing immense damage among the country’s child population. In fact, Kejriwal was about to be charged under Singapore’s robust Protection from Online Falsehoods & Manipulation Act (POFMA). However, the country, which enjoys a special friendship with New Delhi seems to have dropped the idea after the Indian MEA rescued Kejriwal.
On Wednesday, Simon Wong, Singapore’s High Commissioner to India said, “In Singapore, we have Protection from Online Falsehoods & Manipulation Act (POFMA) to mitigate misinformation and we reserve right to invoke POFMA on assertions made by CM (Delhi). However, we’re satisfied with GoI’s clarification.” The statement by the High Commissioner has made it clear that Singapore was actively deliberating upon classifying Arvind Kejriwal as a fake news peddler under the law. However, the Indian government’s assurances to Singapore seem to have saved the day for the loudmouth.
In Singapore, we have Protection from Online Falsehoods & Manipulation Act (POFMA) to mitigate misinformation & we reserve right to invoke POFMA on assertions made by CM (Delhi). However, we're satisfied with GoI's clarification: Simon Wong, Singapore High Commissioner to India pic.twitter.com/zLPjggB1im
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021
The Protection from Online Falsehoods & Manipulation Act is also called the ‘Fake News Law’. The said law allows Singaporean authorities to respond to fake news by enforcing links to fact-checking sites, censoring websites or social media accounts, and filing criminal charges as they deem fit. Simon Wong added, “We were happy to see EAM Dr Jaishankar had put 3 points that Singapore and India are solid partners in the fight against Covid, that Delhi CM doesn’t speak for India, and that the comments made were irresponsible.”
The High Commissioner made it clear that it was the Indian government’s handling of the fiasco that had saved Kejriwal. Wong remarked, “Exchanges between both countries’ foreign ministers, I would say that we would wish to put an end to this episode because authorities representing Government of India had spoken and we are heartened by those assurances.”
On Tuesday, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had called on the Indian government to take measures to prevent the spread of what he called a “Singapore variant” in India. In a tweet, the activist turned showman had said that the Centre must “cancel air services” with Singapore on the account of what he called “a new form of corona that came to Singapore” and was extremely dangerous for children.
Taking to Twitter, Indian Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar saved the day by reiterating the special friendship between India and Singapore, and said, “Singapore and India have been solid partners in the fight against COVID-19. Appreciate Singapore’s role as logistics hub and oxygen supplier. Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship. However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships. So, let me clarify – Delhi CM does not speak for India.”
Had the Indian government not thrashed and disowned Arvind Kejriwal publicly, the Delhi chief minister would have been subjected to international humiliation by Singapore. The AAP supremo must forever remain grateful to Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
Lol, that’s why these BJP men are complete idiots. They don’t know who their enemy is. Problem is that Hindu issues are suffering due to their dufferness. They themselves are making merry.
BJP will help those who villify them, save Commie Terrorists who did everything in Shaheen Bagh & Anti-Farmers protest. Complete idiots. But do nothing when their workers are killed by goons of Mamta in WB.
It’s better Hindus disown these clowns in 2024, even if anti-Hindu Congress comes to power again.
What a joke
There might be a reason fr that.othwewise, govt will not do it.
Govt will not leave a Mamta
. Just wait .
Atleast , u hv expressed yr frustration now, but if u vote fe anti Hindu party , u will not be alive ro Express yr regret.
The biggest idiot is speaking on this portal
you please don’t give us advice and keep this precisious info to you only. OK we know whom to choose and whom to not
GOI should have allowed Singapore law to take action on Kejri feku .