3 weeks ago
Kejriwal accuses Centre of tightening IT Rules to silence criticism
Arvind Kejriwal is a leader in India who used to be in charge of Delhi's government.
He is upset with the national government in New Delhi.
The government changed some internet rules called the IT Rules.
Now, social media websites must remove certain posts very quickly, within 2 hours instead of 24 hours.
The government says the changes are to stop fake videos and pictures made by computers, like deepfakes.
Mr. Kejriwal says the real reason is to stop people from criticizing the government.
He mentioned a protest that happened at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
He believes silencing criticism will make people even angrier.
He also says governments should do good work instead of trying to control what people say.
The government and the ruling party have not replied to his accusations yet.
Arvind Kejriwal alleged the Centre tightened the IT Rules, 2021, to suppress criticism instead of resolving people's grievances.
The Centre's amendments cut the takedown time for sensitive online content from 24 hours to 2 hours.
The rules were amended on February 10, 2026, to address harms from synthetically generated information, including deepfakes and AI-generated content.
Kejriwal cited the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest at Jantar Mantar, claiming the government is suppressing public voices.
There was no immediate response from the government or the ruling BJP to Kejriwal's allegations.
- Who
- Arvind Kejriwal, AAP national convenor and former Delhi chief minister, who made the allegation against the Centre; no response yet from the government or the ruling BJP.
- What
- Alleged that the Centre tightened the IT Rules, 2021, to suppress criticism; the amendments cut the takedown deadline for sensitive online content from 24 hours to 2 hours and target synthetic and AI-generated content.
- Where
- New Delhi; Kejriwal's statement was posted in a video on X.
- When
- Friday, August 7 (the amendments were announced the previous day, Thursday; the rule changes were made on February 10, 2026).
- Why
- Kejriwal claims the government is trying to control public discourse and silence criticism instead of resolving people's grievances, citing the Cockroach Janta Party-led protest at Jantar Mantar.
Criticism of the amendments
Government's explanation
Purpose of the IT Rules amendments
Criticism of the amendments
Kejriwal alleges the Centre tightened the rules to suppress criticism and public voices instead of resolving people's grievances.
Government's explanation
The official statement says the amendments strengthen the regulatory framework to address harms from synthetically generated information, including deepfakes and AI-generated content.
Effect of the 2-hour takedown deadline
Criticism of the amendments
Kejriwal claims criticism cannot be silenced through such measures and that suppressing it will only increase public resentment.
Government's explanation
The Centre has framed the rule change as strengthening regulation of harmful online content; it has not yet responded to the allegations.
Key facts
- Accuser
- Arvind Kejriwal, AAP national convenor
- Allegation
- Centre tightened IT Rules, 2021, to suppress criticism
- Takedown deadline
- Reduced from 24 hours to 2 hours for sensitive content
- Amendment date
- February 10, 2026
- Official rationale
- Address harms from synthetically generated information, including deepfakes and AI-generated content
- Covered platforms
- Significant social media intermediaries (SSMIs) with over 50 lakh users in India
- Government response
- No immediate response from the Centre or the ruling BJP
Quotes
Arvind Kejriwal
AAP national convenor and former Delhi chief minister
“Governments should focus on governance rather than trying to control public discourse. People will support those who do good work, he said.”
theprint.in
deccanchronicle.com
“Criticism cannot be silenced through such measures, he said.”
theprint.in
Sources
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