Twitter has withheld multiple prominent accounts in India, including Caravan magazine, pro-farmers organization Kisan Ekta Morcha, and the Communist Party of India’s (Marxist) Puducherry account. [novideo] The social network didn’t specify the reason but said that it could withhold content or accounts in any country based on local laws and order from authorities:
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) February 1, 2021 At the moment, it’s not clear what court order prompted this action. Vinod K Jose, the editor of Caravan India, told the News Minute that Twitter hasn’t given any specific reason to withhold the magazine’s Twitter account in India. Indian publication ANI noted that the Ministry of Electronics and IT asked Twitter to ban 250 tweets and accounts allegedly making false claims using the hashtag #ModiPlanningFarmerGenocide.
— ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2021 For context, thousands of farmers have been protesting at capital city Delhi’s border, urging the government to withdraw new laws that loosen the rules around trading crops. Until now, farmer unions and the government haven’t come to an agreement on any issues. While banning former US President Donald Trump was Twitter’s own call, this step seems to be a result because of an order from the Indian government.
