Singhvi CD case an individual issue: Sibal

New Delhi: Terming the controversy over a CD purportedly involving Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi as an individual issue, the government today said it was not mulling any move to restrain the social media.

"This government since 2004 has not taken a single step to curb the social media," Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters here in response to questions whether the government was thinking of imposing any curbs on the social media which has gone viral over the CD. "Eight years have passed. Has the government taken any action against the social media? None. So, why do you ask this question," Sibal said. When pointed out that Singhvi has moved court, he maintained that individuals, whether in government or outside, can adopt legal procedures to vindicate their rights.

"I don`t think we should be asking the government to respond to individual rights when they can be dealt with individually. It is an individual issue. He or she is entitled to seek relief from whichever court they wish to. Government should not be commenting on these issues," he said. Asked about Press Council of India Chairman Markandey Katju`s comments favouring curbs on social media, the minister said he was entitled to his views.

"Putting curbs on the media is a serious issue. That does not mean the media does not have any responsibilities. The media itself has certain responsibilities and our expectation is that the media must discharge those responsibilities," he said. He added that if the media does not do so then it should be debated by the people. "We should have a consensus before we move forward," he said.