X Withholds Parody and Activist Accounts in India After Legal Orders, Sparks Censorship Debate
X has withheld several parody and activist accounts in India, including @Nehr_who and @DrNimoYadav, following government orders under Section 69A of the IT Act. The move has sparked fresh concerns over censorship, transparency, and free speech on social media platforms.
New Delhi, March 19: Several high-profile accounts on X (formerly Twitter), including parody handles and activists, have been withheld in India following legal demands from the Union government. Users attempting to access these profiles now see a notice stating the accounts have been restricted “in response to a legal demand,” sparking fresh concerns over online censorship and free speech.
Among the affected accounts are popular satire and commentary handles such as @Nehr_who, @DrNimoYadav, @indian_armada, and @DuckKiBaat. These accounts are widely known for their humorous yet critical takes on Indian politics and government policies. The crackdown has also impacted activist and commentator profiles including @ActivistSandeep (Sandeep Singh), @mrjethwani_ (Manish RJ), and @doc_RGM (Dr. Ranjan).
According to platform notifications, the restrictions were implemented under Section 69A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. This provision allows the government to block online content in the interest of national security, sovereignty, or public order. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is currently the primary authority issuing such directives. TRT World and Global Times X Accounts Blocked in India ‘In Response to a Legal Demand’.
Reports suggest the government is considering expanding these powers, potentially allowing ministries like Home Affairs, External Affairs, and Defense to directly order content blocking.
The move comes amid increasing scrutiny of X’s content moderation practices in India. While the platform has acknowledged past “operational lapses,” critics argue that the lack of transparency around Section 69A orders makes it difficult for users to challenge such actions. Did Indian Government Direct Elon Musk To Block 2,355 Accounts, Including Reuters? Centre Denies X’s Claims, Says ‘No Such Order Issued’.
X has largely complied with the directives but continues to advise affected users to contact MeitY for redressal. Meanwhile, the development has reignited debates over digital rights and freedom of expression in India.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 19, 2026 04:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).