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Key Points

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has firmly denied playing any part in rejecting the Congress party's SMS campaign for Maharashtra elections. TRAI emphasized that telecom service providers, not the regulator, handle individual SMS campaign approvals under existing telecommunications regulations. Congress leaders had earlier accused the government of censorship after their SMS updates were blocked. The regulatory body's statement clarifies that they were not involved in the decision to reject the party's messaging campaign.

Key Points: TRAI Denies Role in Congress SMS Campaign Rejection

  • TRAI explicitly states no role in SMS campaign approval
  • Telecom service providers handle individual SMS campaign requests
  • Congress alleges censorship over blocked election-related messages
  • Regulatory body refutes direct involvement in message rejection
2 min read

No role in rejection of Congress SMS campaign in Maharashtra, says TRAI

TRAI clarifies no involvement in blocking Congress SMS campaign for Maharashtra elections, placing responsibility on telecom service providers

"No application was received by TRAI for sending SMS to a political party's Maharashtra cadre - TRAI Official Statement"

New Delhi, Sep 8

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday refuted reports that it had rejected Congress's application to send SMS messages to its workers in Maharashtra regarding a campaign on the state's 2024 elections.

TRAI clarified that it has no role in approving or rejecting individual SMS campaigns.

The regulator said that such approvals are handled by telecom service providers (TSPs) as per the framework under the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018.

In a statement, TRAI said, TRAI) has noted certain media reports alleging that TRAI has rejected the application of a political party for sending SMS to its workers in Maharashtra in relation to a campaign of the party. TRAI categorically denies any role in the acceptance or rejection of such individual SMS campaigns.

"No application was received by TRAI for sending SMS to a political party's Maharashtra cadre. TRAI doesn't approve individual SMS templates."

"The rejection was done by the service provider, not by TRAI." The regulator reiterated that it was "at no stage involved in this process."

"In view of the above, TRAI reiterates that it has no role in the specific instance reported in the media," the regulator added in its statement.

Earlier, Congress had alleged that TRAI rejected its application to send SMS updates about a documentary claiming that the Maharashtra 2024 elections were "stolen."

The party had also shared screenshots suggesting that the messages were blocked as "protest content."

Congress leaders reacted strongly to the rejection, accusing the government of censorship.

Data analytics department chairman Praveen Chakravarty said the episode reflected "perfect synchronisation between the home ministry, EC and telecom regulator to suppress information."

MP Manickam Tagore went further, claiming that TRAI was acting like the "IT cell of BJP," while party chief Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Election Commission of stonewalling key information in related cases.

TRAI's clarification makes it clear that the rejection came from one of the service providers, STPL, and not from the regulator itself.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good that TRAI clarified their position. Telecom companies follow their own protocols for bulk SMS. This seems like a misunderstanding that got politicized unnecessarily.
A
Aditya G
Whether it's TRAI or service provider, the fact remains that political communication is being blocked. This sets a dangerous precedent for democracy. We need transparency in these processes.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in telecom, I can confirm that service providers have strict filters for political content to prevent spam and misinformation. Probably got caught in automated filters.
V
Vikram M
Both sides need to be careful here. Political parties shouldn't jump to conclusions, and telecom companies should have clear, transparent rejection criteria. Public deserves better communication standards.
M
Meera T
During election season, every small thing becomes political drama. TRAI has clarified their role, now Congress should take it up with the service provider instead of making it a national issue.

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