Twitter blocked dozens of accounts in India on Monday, including that of a leading newsmagazine.
“The order was issued against accounts that were using the hashtag #modiplanningfarmersgenocide that started on Jan. 30,” the government source said.
“Genocide incitement is a public offence and a great threat to public order,” said the official, who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to publicly discuss the matter.
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“At least a dozen prominent Twitter accounts mostly critical of India’s government have been blocked in India. All these accounts have been criticizing government over farmers’ protest. India has asked @Twitter to block 250 accounts,” tweeted Ahmer Khan.
At least a dozen prominent Twitter accounts mostly critical of India’s government have been blocked in India.
All these accounts have been criticizing government over farmers’ protest.
India has asked @Twitter to block 250 accounts. @jack
— Ahmer Khan (@ahmermkhan) February 1, 2021
“If there is police violence at the farmer protests, and then days later all the accounts come back, @Twitter, @jack you’ve basically enabled that violence! Videos of farmer protests coming to social media and being amplified was a deterrent. You’ve just removed it,” wrote another twitter user.
If there is police violence at the farmer protests, and then days later all the accounts come back, @Twitter, @jack you’ve basically enabled that violence!
Videos of farmer protests coming to social media and being amplified was a deterrent. You’ve just removed it.
— Shivam Shankar Singh (@ShivamShankarS) February 1, 2021
“They are afraid of free press, those who speak the truth,” tweeted Anhuradha Bhasin.
They are afraid of free press, those who speak the truth. https://t.co/WovcUov8Ul
— Anuradha Bhasin (@AnuradhaBhasin_) February 1, 2021
“The official handle of @thecaravanindia is withheld in India,” tweeted founder of The Caravan.
The official handle of @thecaravanindia is withheld in India: pic.twitter.com/2t4FV5IgM0
— Vinod K. Jose (@vinodjose) February 1, 2021
Twitter said it complies with official orders, as required.
“If we receive a properly scoped request from an authorized entity, it may be necessary to withhold access to certain content in a particular country from time to time,” a Twitter spokeswoman said in a statement.
