Elyas Thumbe Denounces Modi Govt’s X Censorship

Elyas Muhammad Thumbe, National General Secretary of the Social Democratic Party of India strongly condemns the Modi government’s alleged order to block 2,355 accounts on the social media platform X, including those of international news outlets like Reuters and ReutersWorld. This action, purportedly issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, represents a blatant assault on freedom of expression and press freedom, cornerstone principles of India’s democratic ethos.

The government’s claim that no fresh blocking order was issued on July 3, 2025, and its attempt to shift blame to X for delays in restoring accounts, lack credibility in the absence of transparent evidence. The temporary withholding of Reuters’ accounts, even if reversed, sends a chilling message to journalists, media organizations, and citizens who rely on open platforms for information and discourse. This incident is not isolated but part of a disturbing pattern of censorship under the Modi government, as evidenced by the blocking of over 8,000 accounts in May 2025, targeting journalists, media outlets, and voices critical of the ruling establishment.

The SDPI stands firmly for the fundamental right to freedom of expression, enshrined in Article 19 of the Indian Constitution. The Modi government’s increasing reliance on opaque and arbitrary blocking orders undermines this right, stifling dissent and eroding India’s democratic fabric. The misuse of Section 69A, coupled with mechanisms like the Sahyog portal, grants unaccountable power to suppress voices, particularly those exposing government failures or advocating for marginalized communities. Such actions not only violate domestic constitutional guarantees but also contravene international human rights standards, tarnishing India’s global reputation as a democracy.