Farmers’ protest update : India’s MeitY blocks 177 social media accounts, know why

Farmers’ protest update : Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp which play a significant role in farmers’ protest in India as they have been used to spread messages, organize rallies, and mobilize support from various parts of the country received a massive blow as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the central government has issued an emergency orders directing to block 177 accounts and associated links related to the farmers' protest. 

As per the orders by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the aim to block social media handles is to maintain public orders. 

Also Read: Kisan Andolan 2.0 | What is Govt’s 5-year-plan to buy crops at MSP; farmers’ next step?

As per the media reports, the final blocking orders issued on February 19 and 14 are temporary and conditional, issued for the duration of the ongoing agitation. 

Social media platforms have the option to restore visibility to the blocked accounts and channels in India once the agitation concludes. As similar temporary Section 69A blocking orders have been issued during periods of protests in the past.

Also Read: Farmers' protest: Internet ban extended in 7 Haryana districts

List of blocked entities 

35 Facebook links, 
35 Facebook accounts, 
14 Instagram accounts, 
42 Twitter accounts, 
49 Twitter links, 
1 Snapchat account,
1 Reddit account

Meanwhile, some key suspensions include the Twitter account of Manoj Singh Duhan from the Unionist Sikh Mission and Facebook pages advocating for gangster-turned-politician Lakha Singh Sidhana.  

Some of the accounts and URLs suspended/ blocked includes - @kisanektamorcha, @Tractor2twitr, @Tractor2twitr_P run and Progressive Farmers Front’s @FarmersFront

Also Read: Kisan Andolan 2.0 | Farmer leaders reject Centre’s proposal over MSP, what will be farmers’ next move?

Meanwhile, protesting farmers have been camping at the Shambhu border near Ambala since the start of the march on Tuesday, February 13. 

Centre also announced extension of Internet shutdown across seven districts in Punjab. Affected districts include Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Muktsar, specific areas of Bathinda, and segments of Mohali. Internet services are slated to remain suspended until February 24 in regions bordering Haryana