X Platform Refuses Indian Government’s Request to Block Farmers’ Protest-Related Content
New Delhi, 22nd February 2024: Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has taken a stand against the Ministry of Home Affairs request to block accounts and posts related to the ongoing farmers’ protests. The Ministry of Electronics and IT had directed the platform to temporarily restrict 177 accounts associated with the protests.
In response, X emphasized the importance of freedom of expression and declined the government’s request. The platform acknowledged the executive orders from the Indian government, indicating potential penalties, but expressed disagreement, stating, “In compliance with the orders, we will withhold these accounts and posts in India alone; however, we disagree with these actions and maintain that freedom of expression should extend to these posts,” according to a post by X.
Furthermore, the social media platform revealed that a written appeal opposing the blocking orders is pending consideration. X called for the public release of the order, citing the necessity for transparency. Despite legal restrictions preventing the publication of executive orders, X argued that making them public is crucial to prevent a lack of accountability and arbitrary decision-making.
Affected users have been notified about the government’s actions by the platform’s policies. Meanwhile, farmers across the country are rallying for their rights, including legal assurances for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops and the forgiveness of farm debts.
Amid these events, leaders of the farming community have decided to temporarily suspend their march to the national capital for two days. This decision followed a tragic incident where a protester lost their life, and approximately 12 police officers were injured during clashes at a protest site along the Punjab-Haryana border on Wednesday.
