India blocks websites, social media accounts to suppress liberation movements
New Delhi: The Modi-led Indian government has blocked over 10,000 social media accounts and websites in an effort to suppress liberation movements across India.
According to Kashmir Media Service, data presented in a recent meeting between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology revealed that between 2021 and 2023, more than 10,500 social media accounts and websites were shut down. This action reflects the growing trend of digital censorship and restrictions on freedom of expression in India.
In addition to blocking content related to the pro-Khalistan movement, the Indian government has also targeted pro-freedom Kashmiris, the Popular Front of India (PFI), and Waris Punjab De (WPD), blocking over 2,000 additional accounts and websites linked to these groups. As a result, the total number of blocked websites and accounts has now exceeded 28,000, with the majority originating from platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
During this period, more than 2,200 YouTube and Instagram accounts, 225 Telegram accounts, and 138 WhatsApp accounts were also blocked.
Digital rights activists in India have raised serious concerns about the Modi government’s restricting online activities without adequate oversight or transparency, warning that such measures threaten digital freedoms and the rights of citizens to express themselves freely on media and social media platforms.
