2 weeks ago
Kharge accuses Modi government of brazen attack on democratic rights
A leader of one of India's big political parties is upset with the government.
His name is Mallikarjun Kharge, and he leads the Congress party.
He says the government is removing too many posts from the internet.
He says most of the removed posts came from students who were protesting about a big medical exam called NEET.
The students believed the exam was unfair because its question paper leaked.
Kharge says the government blocks a post every 68 seconds and that nobody even checks before a post disappears.
He also says people who support the government can be mean to others online without getting in trouble.
But he says anyone who criticizes the government can get warned or punished.
In this article, only Kharge's side is shown, and the government has not given its answer here.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Modi government of a 'brazen and calculated attack' on Indians' democratic right to question and dissent.
Kharge claimed the government issued 1.95 lakh social media blocking orders in five months, mostly against students and youth protesting the NEET paper leak.
He alleged blocking orders were issued at a rate of one every 68 seconds, with takedown time slashed to three hours and censorship automated.
Media reports cited by Kharge say one blocking order was sent to social media firms every minute from March to July, with over half going to Instagram.
Kharge also alleged ruling party supporters carry out online harassment, including doxxing and rape threats, without legal consequences, while critics face takedowns and FIR notices.
- Who
- Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who made the accusations, and the Modi government, which he alleges issued the blocking orders.
- What
- Allegations that the Modi government is censoring social media, issuing 1.95 lakh blocking orders in five months to silence dissent over the NEET paper leak.
- Where
- India — the statement was posted on X and reported from New Delhi.
- When
- Kharge's statement was made on Tuesday (Aug 18); the reported blocking orders were issued between March and July this year.
- Why
- Kharge says the government is attempting to suppress Indians' democratic right to question and dissent, particularly by students demanding accountability over the NEET paper leak and exam reforms.
Key facts
- Statement by
- Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president
- Allegation
- 1.95 lakh social media blocking orders in five months
- Claimed frequency
- One blocking order every 68 seconds
- Reported period
- March to July this year
- Platform most affected
- Instagram (over half of orders)
- Alleged takedown time
- Reduced to three hours
- Protest context
- NEET paper leak and demand for exam reforms
- Location
- New Delhi / India
Quotes
Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress president, senior opposition leader
“"Its social media censorship is as condemnable as the lathicharge and pellet guns they used on our youth!"”
theprint.in
Sources
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