Hindi English Translation || Editorial || Toon trouble: on Vikatan cartoon, I&B Ministry’s move

Toon trouble: on Vikatan cartoon, I&B Ministry’s move

The power to block content must be used sparingly (संयम से, सीमित रूप से)

The order of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, directing the removal of a cartoon featuring the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, from a Tamil magazine’s website, is unwarranted (अनुचित, अनावश्यक) and may not fall under (के अंतर्गत आना, के प्रभाव में आना) any of the permissible (स्वीकार्य, अनुमत, वैध) grounds (आधार, कारण, वजह) for such removal. Vikatan Plus, an online-only magazine published by the Vikatan group, has decided to take legal steps to challenge the order. It had earlier defended (बचाव करना, समर्थन करना) the content at a hearing (सुनवाई, मुकदमा) before an inter-departmental (अंतर-विभागीय, विभागों के बीच) committee constituted (गठित करना, बनाना) under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The Ministry’s move against the cartoon goes against (खिलाफ होना, के विरुद्ध जाना) both freedom of expression (अभिव्यक्ति की स्वतंत्रता) and freedom of the press (पत्रकारिता की स्वतंत्रता). The cartoon is a piece of trenchant (vigorous, forceful, strong) political commentary (टिप्पणी, व्याख्या), as it depicted (चित्रित करना, दर्शाना) Mr. Modi shackled (बेड़ियों में डालना, बंधन में डालना, जकड़ना) in chains in the presence of United States President Donald Trump. This is an apparent (clear, flagrant, glaring, obvious, straightforward, unequivocal, unambiguous) reference (mention, citation) to criticism voiced (express, raise, say, mention, point out) in some quarters (a particular group of people; source) that Mr. Modi failed to protest against the ill-treatment (persecution, abuse, oppression, suppression) of Indian illegal immigrants (emigrant, migrant, non-native, foreigner, settler) deported (banish, exile, evict, expel, oust, extradite, send home) from the U.S. The Prime Minister’s approach to a foreign policy issue cannot be immune (resistant, not subject, not liable (from the effects of something); freed from, absolved from, released from, excused from, relieved of, spared from, excepted from, exempted from) to symbolic denunciation (an act of criticising someone/something severely in public; strong public condemnation, criticism, censure, rebuke, reprimand) through a cartoon. It is even more concerning (worrying, alarming, unsettling, disquieting, distressing, disturbing) that the Vikatan website itself has been rendered (cause to be/become) inaccessible to some users, apparently (allegedly, supposedly, purportedly, ostensibly, reportedly) based on undisclosed (confidential, secret, unrevealed, unpublished, covert, hidden) orders or informal (unofficial, back-door, illegal) instructions to web service providers.

While a formal order to take down (remove, eliminate, take out, withdraw) content is provided for in law, it will be wholly untenable (undefendable, unjustified, unacceptable) if the website was sought to be blocked without recourse (use, resort to, bringing into play, falling back on, utilization, employment) to established (accepted, mainstream, recognized) procedure. The claim (case, allegation, assertion, affirmation, contention) that the website has been inaccessible (unreachable, out of reach, unapproachable) to some since February 15 has not been denied so far (until now, up to this point, hitherto). Section 69A of the Information Technology Act empowers (authorize, entitle, permit, allow) the government to block content on specified grounds, including in the interest of (for the benefit of, for the sake of, for the advantage of, on behalf of) “friendly relations with foreign States or public order (it is essentially the absence of disorder - the quiet and orderly behaviour of people in public space. It involves people behaving sensibly and rationally, and respecting others) or for preventing incitement (provocation, persuasion, inducement) to the commission of a cognisable offence (an offence for which, a police officer without any warrant has authority to arrest and to start an investigation with or without the permission of a court)”, but it is not known which of these grounds has been invoked (cite, refer to, adduce, bring forth, turn to, resort to), as the order is confidential. How an order passed in the exercise (use, utilization, employment) of a statutory (legitimate, permissible, admissible, allowable, acceptable, constitutional) power can be deemed a secret is inexplicable (perplexing, mystifying, bewildering, mysterious, strange; incomprehensible, unfathomable, unexplainable). Even in times like the present when taking offence is a national pastime (interest, hobby, leisure activity/pursuit, obsession, craze) as well as a reason for several Chief Ministers to unleash (let loose, unchain, unshackle, let something go freely/uncontrollably) the police on their detractors (critic, fault-finder, attacker, censurer), cartoons ought to (must, should) enjoy greater immunity (exemption, exclusion, exception, indemnity, freedom, exemption from punishment, freedom from punishment) than the written word. In this case, it is doubtful if political criticism through a cartoon can be deemed to affect friendly ties (association, relationship, bond, connection) with the U.S. or undermine (weaken, subvert, sabotage, damage) public order. The Centre would do well to reverse (cancel, repeal, revoke, overrule, undo, disallow, overturn) the blocking order soon. The power to block content ought to be used sparingly, mainly to combat offensive (insulting, disrespectful, hurtful) content such as hate speech (abusive or disrespectful speech), incitement to violence and child pornography (obscene or indecent digital material (movies, pictures, magazines, etc.,) that show or describe sexual matters in order to cause sexual excitement), but not in deference to (with respect for; in consideration of) a political demand and without regard (respect, consideration, high opinion, approval, deference) to freedom of expression.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.sparingly (adverb)

Hindi Meaning - संयम से, सीमित रूप से
English Meaning - in a restricted way; in a limited way; to some extent, to a degree, in moderation, reasonably, fairly, slightly, tolerably.

2.unwarranted (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - अनुचित, अनावश्यक
English Meaning - unnecessary, unreasonable, unjustifiable, groundless, inappropriate, immoderate, inordinate, uncalled for.

3.fall under (phrasal verb)

Hindi Meaning - के अंतर्गत आना, के प्रभाव में आना
English Meaning - to come under (an influence, etc.); to be influenced something; to be affected by something.

4.permissible (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - स्वीकार्य, अनुमत, वैध
English Meaning - allowed, authorized, acceptable, legitimate, lawful.

5.grounds (noun)

Hindi Meaning - आधार, कारण, वजह
English Meaning - reason, cause, basis, pretext, rationale, factor.

6.defend (verb)

Hindi Meaning - बचाव करना, समर्थन करना
English Meaning - justify, speak for, justify, stand by, come to the defence of.

7.hearing (noun)

Hindi Meaning - सुनवाई, मुकदमा
English Meaning - lawsuit, proceedings, inquiry, legal proceedings, legal action.

8.inter-departmental (adjective)

Hindi Meaning - अंतर-विभागीय, विभागों के बीच
English Meaning - existing between two or more departments.

9.constitute (verb)

Hindi Meaning - गठित करना, बनाना
English Meaning - comprise, amount to, compose, form, represent.

10.go against (phrasal verb)

Hindi Meaning - खिलाफ होना, के विरुद्ध जाना
English Meaning - breach, break, infract, infringe, offend, transgress, violate; be unfavourable, be disadvantageous.

11.freedom of expression (noun)

Hindi Meaning - अभिव्यक्ति की स्वतंत्रता
English Meaning - the ability of an individual or group of individuals to express their beliefs, thoughts, ideas, and emotions about different issues free from government censorship, restraint, or legal penalty.

12.freedom of the press (noun)

Hindi Meaning - पत्रकारिता की स्वतंत्रता
English Meaning - the right of news media to report news without being controlled by the government.

13.commentary (noun)

Hindi Meaning - टिप्पणी, व्याख्या
English Meaning - comments, opinions, remarks, reports, analysis.

14.depict (verb)

Hindi Meaning - चित्रित करना, दर्शाना
English Meaning - portray, render, represent, picture, illustrate.

15.shackle (verb)

Hindi Meaning - बेड़ियों में डालना, बंधन में डालना, जकड़ना
English Meaning - chain with shackles; tie up, put in chains, handcuff.

16.toon (noun)

English Meaning - cartoon.

17.feature (verb)

English Meaning - have, present.

18.The Information Technology (Guidelines for Intermediaries and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (noun)

English Meaning -the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021 has been framed in exercise of powers under section 87 (2) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and in supersession of the earlier Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines) Rules 2011. It empowers ordinary users of social media, embodying a mechanism for the redressal and timely resolution of their grievances. Rules about digital media and OTT focuses more on in house and self-regulation mechanism whereby a robust grievance redressal mechanism has been provided while upholding journalistic and creative freedom. The guidelines have been framed keeping in mind the difference between viewership in a theatre and television as compared to watching it on the Internet.

19.Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India (noun)

English Meaning - it says that all citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression. The freedom of speech and expression means the right to express ones convictions and opinions freely by the word of mouth, writing, printing, pictures, electronic media or nay other mode addressed to the eye or the ear. It also includes the right to publish views of other people (freedom of press).

20.trenchant (adjective)

English Meaning - vigorous, forceful, strong.

21.apparent (adjective)

English Meaning - clear, flagrant, glaring, obvious, straightforward, unequivocal, unambiguous.

22.reference (noun)

English Meaning - mention, citation.

23.voice (verb)

English Meaning - express, raise, say, mention, point out.

24.quarters (noun)

English Meaning - a particular group of people; source.

25.ill-treatment (noun)

English Meaning - persecution, abuse, oppression, suppression.

26.immigrant (noun)

English Meaning - emigrant, migrant, non-native, foreigner, settler.

27.deport (verb)

English Meaning - banish, exile, evict, expel, oust, extradite, send home.

28.immune (adjective)

English Meaning - resistant, not subject, not liable (from the effects of something); freed from, absolved from, released from, excused from, relieved of, spared from, excepted from, exempted from.

29.denunciation (noun)

English Meaning - an act of criticising someone/something severely in public; strong public condemnation, criticism, censure, rebuke, reprimand.

30.concerning (adjective)

English Meaning - worrying, alarming, unsettling, disquieting, distressing, disturbing.

31.render (verb)

English Meaning - cause to be/become.

32.inaccessible (phrase)

English Meaning - unreachable, out of reach, unapproachable.

33.apparently (adverb)

English Meaning - allegedly, supposedly, purportedly, ostensibly, reportedly.

34.undisclosed (adjective)

English Meaning - confidential, secret, unrevealed, unpublished, covert, hidden.

35.informal (adjective)

English Meaning - unofficial, back-door, illegal.

36.take down (phrasal verb)

English Meaning - remove, eliminate, take out, withdraw.

37.takedown (noun)

English Meaning - removal of a content (in reply to a formal request).

38.untenable (adjective)

English Meaning - undefendable, unjustified, unacceptable.

39.sought past tense of seek (verb)

English Meaning - try, aim, attempt.

40.recourse (noun)

English Meaning - use, resort to, bringing into play, falling back on, utilization, employment.

41.established (adjective)

English Meaning - accepted, mainstream, recognized.

42.claim (noun)

English Meaning - case, allegation, assertion, affirmation, contention.

43.so far (phrase)

English Meaning - until now, up to this point, hitherto.

44.Section 69A of IT Act, 2000 (noun)

English Meaning - Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, was introduced by an amendment to the Act in 2008. It gives the Central government the power to block public access to any information online — whether on websites or mobile apps.

45.empower (verb)

English Meaning - authorize, entitle, permit, allow.

46.in the interest of (phrase)

English Meaning - for the benefit of, for the sake of, for the advantage of, on behalf of.

47.public order (noun)

English Meaning - it is essentially the absence of disorder - the quiet and orderly behaviour of people in public space. It involves people behaving sensibly and rationally, and respecting others.

48.public order (noun)

English Meaning - it means the situation that exists when people obey the laws, rules or authority of the State.

49.incitement (noun)

English Meaning - provocation, persuasion, inducement.

50.non-cognisable (adjective)

English Meaning - relating to the offences/crimes for which the police cannot make an arrest without prior court permission.

51.cognisable offence/crime (noun)

English Meaning - an offence for which, a police officer without any warrant has authority to arrest and to start an investigation with or without the permission of a court.

52.non-cognisable offence (noun)

English Meaning - an offence for which, a police officer without any warrant has no authority to arrest.

53.invoke (verb)

English Meaning - cite, refer to, adduce, bring forth, turn to, resort to.

54.exercise (noun)

English Meaning - use, utilization, employment.

55.statutory (adjective)

English Meaning - legitimate, permissible, admissible, allowable, acceptable, constitutional.

56.deem (verb)

English Meaning - consider, regard as, see, view.

57.inexplicable (adjective)

English Meaning - perplexing, mystifying, bewildering, mysterious, strange; incomprehensible, unfathomable, unexplainable.

58.take offence (phrase)

English Meaning - to become angry; to become upset; to be annoyed (because of something someone did/said something).

59.pastime (noun)

English Meaning - interest, hobby, leisure activity/pursuit, obsession, craze.

60.unleash (verb)

English Meaning - let loose, unchain, unshackle, let something go freely/uncontrollably.

61.detractor (noun)

English Meaning - critic, fault-finder, attacker, censurer.

62.ought to (modal verb)

English Meaning - must, should.

63.immunity (noun)

English Meaning - exemption, exclusion, exception, indemnity, freedom, exemption from punishment, freedom from punishment.

64.ties (noun)

English Meaning - association, relationship, bond, connection.

65.undermine (verb)

English Meaning - weaken, subvert, sabotage, damage.

66.reverse (verb)

English Meaning - cancel, repeal, revoke, overrule, undo, disallow, overturn.

67.offensive (adjective)

English Meaning - insulting, disrespectful, hurtful.

68.hate speech (noun)

English Meaning - abusive or disrespectful speech.

69.pornography (noun)

English Meaning - obscene or indecent digital material (movies, pictures, magazines, etc.,) that show or describe sexual matters in order to cause sexual excitement.

70.in deference to (phrase)

English Meaning - with respect for; in consideration of.

71.deference (noun)

English Meaning - submission, obedience, surrender, capitulation; (respect, regard; consideration, courtesy).

72.regard (noun)

English Meaning - respect, consideration, high opinion, approval, deference.