Trinamool Congress MP Nusrat Jahan called the government's decision to ban Tik Tok impulsive, questioning what’s the government’s "strategic plan" going forward. In an event at Iskcon in Kolkata, Nusrat said, "TikTok is an entertainment app. It’s an impulsive decision. What’s the strategic plan? What about the people who will be unemployed? People will suffer like demonetisation. I don’t have any problem with the ban as it is for national security but who’ll answer these questions," ANI reported.
The Centre on Monday decided to ban Tik Tok and 58 other Chinese apps following the June 15 violent scrap between Indian and Chinese soldiers in Ladakh’s Galwan valley. The government said these applications were "engaged in activities prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of the state and public order".
In a statement, she said, "TikTok was just like any other Social Media Platform for me to connect with my fans and audience. If it's in National Interest, I completely stand by the Ban. But banning a few Chinese Apps is just an eye-wash by the Central Government & an impulsive decision. What about the Chinese Investments in Companies that come out with the PM's picture in front page-ads, post demonetisation? What was achieved through Diplomacy and visits by the PM? Also, what about the Content Creators who lose their monthly income to run households now? These are questions that are still unanswered. Also, the Government has to take steps to move away from Chinese supply chains without adding to inflation and putting pressure on the Common Man's pockets."
Meanwhile, the decision was readily accepted and backed by several Bollywood celebrities including Malaika Arora who posted on her Instagram story saying, "The best news I have heard in lockdown... finally we will not be subjected to people’s ridiculous videos."
However, the ban has come as a shock to youngsters who make their living by creating content on the video-sharing app. For the uninformed, among the banned apps, TikTok has over 200 million users in India.
