Demand are mounting on social media platforms to uphold their pledge to free speech and resist governmental pressure to muzzle dissent.
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – The terrain for defenders of human rights, especially those advocating for minority groups like Muslims, Dalits, Sikhs, and Christians, has turned treacherous. Recent reports from various sources paint a troubling picture of stifled dissent and censorship, particularly on social media platforms, raising grave concerns over erosion of freedom of expression in the country.
Social workers, journalists, and activists dedicated to the rights of marginalised communities find themselves squarely in the crosshairs of what they perceive as government pressure tactics. According to accounts compiled by Clarion India, individuals such as Shams Tabrez Qasmi, the editor of Millat Times, have faced the sudden closure of their Facebook and YouTube channels without prior warning. Qasmi attributes this censorship to government’s influence, lamenting the authorities’ seeming determination to stifle dissenting voices. “The environment for advocating human rights in India, especially for minorities and Muslims, has become increasingly hostile,” said Qasmi. “Any voice against the government is ruthlessly suppressed,” he added, recounting the abrupt deletion of his widely followed channels.
The plight of Qasmi resonates with that of a scholar from Jamia Millia Islamia University who, preferring anonymity, disclosed to Clarion India a similar ordeal with his account on X (formerly Twitter). Known for his commitment to Gandhian principles, he asserts that his account contained no provocative material. However, he suspects that sharing articles from outlets like Al Jazeera and Middle East Monitor, which might have contradicted government’s narratives, led to the suspension of his account. “I believe in Gandhian ideology; my blocked account contained no anti-government or controversial content,” he laments. “These social media platforms profess freedom of speech but harbour no tolerance for dissenting views,” he added, expressing his dismay over the selective censorship.
The recent Kisan Andolan (Farmers’ Protest) has emerged as another battleground for censorship, with reports of numerous account closures surfacing. Fact-checking entities like News Fact-Checker and @AltNews have shed light on the suspension of accounts critical of the government, including those of ground reporters and prominent farm unionists covering the protests.
Concerns linger over the selective application of censorship policies and the complicity of social media corporations. Critics argue that despite their avowed commitment to free speech, these platforms often prioritise corporate interests over democratic values. The glaring disparity between rhetoric and action underscores the pressing need for enhanced transparency and accountability in regulating online discourse.
As dissenting voices continue to be stifled and divergent opinions suppressed, advocates for human rights and freedom of expression stress the imperative of confronting these challenges head-on. Calls for the reinstatement of closed accounts and the safeguarding of individuals’ rights to express dissent without fear of reprisal reverberate throughout civil society, underscoring the paramount importance of upholding democratic ideals in India’s diverse landscape.
The reported instances of censorship and account closures underscore the growing peril to freedom of expression in India, particularly for minority groups and social activists. As the government faces scrutiny over its handling of dissent, the resilience of civil society in upholding democratic principles assumes utmost significance.
There is a mounting demand for social media platforms to uphold their pledge to free speech and resist governmental pressure to muzzle dissenting voices. The urgent need for transparency and accountability in the actions of these platforms has never been more pronounced as India grapples with the challenge of preserving democratic values amidst escalating suppression.
