3 weeks ago
Kejriwal Alleges Meta Restricted His Social Media Accounts in India
Arvind Kejriwal is an important politician in India who used to lead Delhi and belongs to the Aam Aadmi Party.
He uses social media apps like Facebook and Instagram, which are owned by a company called Meta.
He says Meta stopped letting people in India see his accounts.
When he asked at Meta's office in India, they told him his account was restricted and not available in the country.
His emails only got automatic replies, and nobody explained why the restriction happened or how to remove it, which he called 'pretty bad service.'
Kejriwal thinks Meta is listening too much to India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and told the company not to 'bow down' to him.
Meta has not publicly explained what happened, but some news reports say his accounts now look normal in India.
He also started the hashtag #MetaCensorsIndia and asked people with similar problems to contact him.
This comes after Meta said sorry for briefly blocking one of the Prime Minister's own posts by mistake.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal alleged on Thursday, August 6, 2026, that Meta restricted his social media accounts in India without giving any reason.
In a post on X tagging @Meta and @metaindia, Kejriwal said verbal enquiries at Meta's India office revealed his account had been restricted and was unavailable in India.
He shared a screenshot showing his account status as 'Unavailable in some locations' and said emails to Meta drew only routine acknowledgements, calling it 'pretty bad service.'
Kejriwal alleged Meta was yielding to political pressure from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, telling it not to 'bow down' to him, and urged users facing suppression to contact him via the hashtag #MetaCensorsIndia.
Meta had not publicly responded at the time of publication, though reports confirmed both his Facebook and Instagram accounts later appeared accessible in India; the dispute follows Meta's apology for briefly restricting a Facebook video by PM Modi and a parliamentary panel's warning over safe-harbour immunity.
- Who
- Arvind Kejriwal, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Delhi chief minister; Meta, the company that owns Facebook and Instagram, and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What
- Kejriwal alleged Meta restricted his social media accounts in India without explanation, called the lack of response 'pretty bad service,' and accused the company of yielding to political pressure from PM Modi
- Where
- India, including New Delhi and Meta's India office
- When
- Thursday, August 6, 2026
- Why
- He alleged Meta was yielding to political pressure from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, amid heightened scrutiny of Meta over the temporary removal of PM Modi's Facebook video and ads linked to child sexual abuse material
Kejriwal and critics of Meta's moderation
Meta's stated position
Reason for the restriction
Kejriwal and critics of Meta's moderation
Kejriwal says his account was restricted in India without any reason given and calls the lack of response 'pretty bad service.'
Meta's stated position
Meta has not commented on Kejriwal's case, but attributed the separate restriction of PM Modi's post to an operational error and apologised.
Political pressure
Kejriwal and critics of Meta's moderation
Kejriwal alleges Meta is yielding to political pressure from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and told the company not to 'bow down' to him.
Meta's stated position
Meta has maintained that it enforces its policies globally and independently of governments, while complying with local laws wherever applicable.
Account availability
Kejriwal and critics of Meta's moderation
Kejriwal shared a screenshot showing his account as 'Unavailable in some locations' and says Meta gave no explanation or removal process.
Meta's stated position
Reports at the time of publication confirmed both his Facebook and Instagram accounts were showing up as usual in India, and it remained unclear whether any formal restriction was placed.
Key facts
- Person
- Arvind Kejriwal
- Role
- AAP national convenor; former Delhi chief minister
- Allegation
- Meta restricted his social media accounts in India without explanation
- Account Status Shown
- "Unavailable in some locations"
- Complaint Platform
- X, tagging @Meta and @metaindia
- Meta's Response
- No public response at the time of publication
- Date
- August 6, 2026
- Related Context
- Meta apologised for briefly restricting PM Modi's Facebook video; a parliamentary panel demanded an apology from CEO Mark Zuckerberg and warned of loss of safe-harbour immunity
Quotes
Arvind Kejriwal
AAP national convenor
“"Hi @Meta @metaindia Why have you restricted my account? Verbal enquiries at your India office revealed that my account has been restricted in India and is unavailable in India. Why? Noone in your office is giving any reasons. Noone is suggesting how restrictions can be removed. All emails written have elicited no response other than routine acknowledgement. That's pretty bad service. Don’t bow down to our Prime Minister so much. Else he will allow u to run only his own account in India."”
rediff.com
telegraphindia.com
livemint.com
NDTV
wionews.com
+2 more
“"Mark Zuckerberg sent his apologies for the CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material) content, deepfake content and errors in operating the platform. It was made clear to them that they are not covered under the Intermediary definition. They select who receives the content. Safe harbour under IT Act not applicable."”
thestatesman.com
Joel Kaplan
Meta Chief Global Affairs Officer
“"I apologised to the minister on behalf of Meta for the error restricting PM Modi's post."”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Kejriwal says social media account restricted by Meta
Kejriwal Seeks Meta Explanation Over Social Media Account Restriction
Arvind Kejriwal says Meta restricted his Instagram account in India, seeks explanation; company yet to respond - Telegraph India
'Don't bow down to PM': Arvind Kejriwal says Meta restricted his Facebook account; access now restored
'No Explanation Given': Arvind Kejriwal Claims Meta Blocked Instagram Access in India
"Why Have You Restricted My Account?" Arvind Kejriwal To Meta
'Don't bow down to PM Modi': Kejriwal claims Meta restricted his account in India
Arvind Kejriwal Alleges Meta Restricted His Social Media Accounts, Says 'Don't Bow Down To PM'
Arvind Kejriwal Alleges Meta Restricted His Instagram Account In India Without Reason
Account restriction, unanswered emails: Why Arvind Kejriwal lashed out at Meta
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