New Delhi, March 19 The Congress on Thursday criticised the BJP-led Centre for its "crackdown" on social media platforms, including X, YouTube, and Instagram, by allegedly ordering the closure of several accounts, and said undermining free speech is a threat to democracy.
Addressing a press conference here, Congress spokesperson and head of the party's social media and digital platforms wing, Supriya Shrinate, claimed that multiple accounts across various social media platforms have either been blocked or restricted under official directives.
She alleged that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to suppress dissent and evade accountability by curbing digital expression.
Shrinate claimed that several X, YouTube, and Instagram accounts that questioned government policies or highlighted public issues were either blocked, suspended, or had content removed without adequate explanation.
She further claimed that even independent content creators and media platforms, including YouTube channels and magazine-related posts, have faced action, while citing the instance of police detaining a YouTuber who reported on LPG cylinder shortages in Noida.
Calling it a "serious attack on freedom of expression", the Congress spokesperson said she has personally received multiple notices from social media platforms regarding content restrictions.
She accused the government of attempting to extend control over digital platforms after influencing mainstream media, terming it a "new trend" in the country of first removing content and then blocking accounts.
Targeting Modi, Shrinate said the government is "intolerant of criticism" and accused it of weakening democratic institutions by restricting opposition voices and public questioning.