On Sunday (28th July), several netizens expressed shock that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar was following only 4 accounts through his official X (formerly Twitter) handle. They pointed out that Mohammed Zubair, the fake news peddler who notoriously dog-whistled against Nupur Sharma was amongst the four handles that the CEC was following on X.
The other three handles on his following list included an official account of the Election Commission, All India Radio News, and one politician – Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Hours after netizens pointed this out and registered their outrage, CEC Kumar unfollowed Zubair as well as accounts of Rahul Gandhi and AIR News.
Earlier, several X users had expressed disappointment and anger asking why the Chief Election Commissioner was following Mohd. Zubair, a fake news peddler who amplified falsehoods and smear campaigns against the Election Commissioners and the polling body.
Can anyone please explain to me why the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Mr. Rajiv Kumar, is following Zoobair, who’s a certified fake news peddler and a jihadi who encourages violence against Hindus by spreading fake news?@Shehzad_Ind @BJP4India @amitmalviya pic.twitter.com/k4aKD27ldk
— महारथी-മഹാരഥി (@MahaRathii) July 27, 2024
While others quoted the famous line from the Bollywood film, ‘The Kashmir File’ – Sarkar bhale hi apki ho, system hmara hai. (This may be your government but we have the system on our side).
If "Sarkar tumhara hoga, lekin system hamara hai" had a face !!
— Krishanu Singha (@KrishanuOnline) July 28, 2024
Chief Election Commissioner of India is following only 4 accounts on Twitter: Election Commission, Rahul Gandhi, AIR News and Mohammad Zubair. @abhijitmajumder @rishibagree @KanchanGupta @TajinderBagga… pic.twitter.com/bfgvDiVdNS
An X user named Mikku wrote, “Rajeev Saab is following a man who amplified every post claiming the Election Commission and EVMs are rigged during election time.”
Chief Election Commissioner of India is following only 4 accounts on Twitter: Election Commission, Rahul Gandhi, AIR News and Mohammad Zubair.
— Mikku 🐼 (@effucktivehumor) July 28, 2024
Rajeev Saab is following a man who amplified every post claiming the Election Commission and EVMs are rigged during election time.☝🏻🤡 pic.twitter.com/rifr2yNexw
The Chief Election Commissioner of India is only following 4 accounts on Twitter: Election Commission, Rahul Gandhi, AIR News, and Mohammad Zubair.
— Mr Solanki (@InvincibleCzar) July 28, 2024
He is following a man who shared every post claiming that the Election Commission and EVMs are rigged during election time. 🙄 pic.twitter.com/6pqRCymgxx
The Jaipur Dialogues wrote, “Chief Election Commissioner of India is following only 4 accounts on Twitter: Election Commission, Rahul Gandhi, AIR News and Mohammad Zubair. But guess who’s influencing elections in India?”
Chief Election Commissioner of India is following only 4 accounts on Twitter: Election Commission, Rahul Gandhi, AIR News and Mohammad Zubair.
— The Jaipur Dialogues (@JaipurDialogues) July 28, 2024
But guess who's influencing elections in India? pic.twitter.com/MuVS2yd7Ur
Chief Election Commissioner of India is following only 4 accounts on Twitter: Election Commission, Rahul Gandhi, AIR News and Mohammad Zubair.
— Tathvam-asi (@ssaratht) July 28, 2024
Now you know why there’s no action on so many complaints and incidents during elections.
Both EC and Judiciary must be reformed. Can’t… pic.twitter.com/2w61qZgNZB
Following netizen’s outrage, CEC Kumar unfollowed all other accounts except of the polling body including the X handle of fake news peddler Mohd. Zubair and the current Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi. As per his current following list, CEC Rajiv Kumar is now following only the official X handle of the polling body.
Outrage works guys. pic.twitter.com/N24lxI3joQ
— Lala (@FabulasGuy) July 28, 2024
Many X users highlighted the development and commended social outrage for bringing the change.Update: He unfollowed pic.twitter.com/gE3V5rc2rl
— Mikku 🐼 (@effucktivehumor) July 28, 2024
