X, formerly known as Twitter, has withheld the accounts of United States-based human rights organisations Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) and Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR) in India. The social media platform said the accounts were withheld in response to a legal demand from the Indian government.
The Indian American Muslim Council and Hindus for Human Rights are non-profit organizations that have been actively advocating for minority rights and addressing issues related to caste inequality in India. The organisations said the microblogging platform withheld their accounts without providing any explicit reasons for its action.
Under Section 69 of the Information Technology Act, the Indian government has the authority to issue content-blocking orders to online intermediaries like X when content is perceived as a threat to national security, sovereignty, or public order. This provision has been the subject of extensive debate, as it grants the government substantial control over online platforms.
Hindus for Human Rights issued a statement expressing their dismay over the withholding of their Twitter account. HfHR decried the lack of explanation for the demand and believes it to be part of a broader effort by the Indian government to stifle dissenting voices, both domestically and abroad. They cited previous incidents where they were targeted by BJP leaders and right-wing media outlets, which launched online campaigns against their Executive Director, Sunita Viswanath.
IAMC said that it considers the suspension of their X account as an affront not only to their organization but also to democracy in both the United States and India. They accuse X and its executive, Elon Musk, of collaborating with the Indian government to suppress free speech and democracy in both countries.
IAMC called on X to immediately restore access to its account in India and sought the support of the international community to address rising threats to freedom of expression in India. The organization said it is in close contact with its attorneys to challenge the withholding of its account.
