AMID a tussle between the Union Government and Twitter over the new IT rules, members of a parliamentary panel on Friday strongly objected to Twitter India officials’ observations that they abide by their policy and categorically told them that the rule of land is supreme.

 

During a 90-minute deposition before the panel, chaired by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, the Twitter India officials were asked “tough and searching questions”, including why the company should not be fined as it has been found “violating” rules of the country, sources said.

 

Twitter India’s public policy manager Shagufta Kamran and legal counsel Ayushi Kapoor deposed before the panel. Later a Twitter spokesperson said, the company “stands prepared to work with the Committee on the important work of safeguarding citizens’ rights.”

 

The panel members asked Twitter officials whether their policy is more important or rule of land, to which officials responded that they respect the Indian laws but they have to follow their policy as well for larger interest, sources said. The panel members took strong objection to Twitter stance and categorically told them that the rule of land is supreme not the company policy, sources said.