The Central government has withheld approximately 100 social media accounts associated with farmer union leaders and supporters of the ongoing farmers' protest in an effort to curb dissenting voices, according to a report published in The Wire.
The decision comes just a day before the scheduled 'Delhi Chalo' call by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) Non-Political and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM).
The protests, led by farmer unions under the guidance of Jagjeet Singh Dallewal and Sarvan Singh Pandher, have been ongoing for over 20 days at various border points between Punjab and Haryana. The demonstrators are demanding legally guaranteed minimum support prices (MSP), justice in the Lakhimpur Kheri case, and the waiving of farmers' loans.
This isn't the first time such action has been taken by the government. Social media accounts were previously withheld ahead of similar calls to move to Delhi, prompting criticism from farmer union leaders. Gurpreet Sangha, a prominent figure among the protesters, stated that the government's repeated actions indicate a clear attempt to silence their voices and prevent their message from reaching the masses, according to The Wire.
Among those affected by the recent blocking of accounts is Sheena Sawhney, a US citizen and vocal supporter of farmers' rights. Despite her citizenship status, Sawhney's account was withheld, leading her to believe that there may be informants within the farmers' groups sharing information with the government.
The government's actions have drawn condemnation from various quarters, with many viewing it as an infringement on freedom of expression and an attempt to suppress dissent. Lawyer-turned-independent journalist Gurshamshir Singh remarked that the blocking of social media accounts coincides with significant events like the 'Delhi Chalo' call, indicating a deliberate attempt to quash mass mobilization efforts.
Independent researcher Samita Kaur echoed similar sentiments, expressing concern over the growing influence of corporations in agriculture and the government's apparent efforts to stifle voices advocating for farmers' rights.
The impact of these actions extends beyond just the individuals directly affected. Mandeep Punia, an independent journalist covering the protests, and his colleague Garvit Garg both had their accounts withheld, highlighting the broader implications for freedom of the press and access to information.
In response to the government's actions, the legal team of the KMM, led by advocates Akhil Chaudhary and Anjali Sheoran, has announced plans to challenge the decision in the Supreme Court. They argue that the blocking of social media accounts constitutes a violation of freedom of expression and are urging all affected individuals to join their petition.
As tensions escalate ahead of the 'Delhi Chalo' call on March 6, the government's crackdown on social media accounts has ignited a fierce debate about the limits of free speech and the right to protest in India. With the farmers' protest gaining momentum and drawing international attention, the government's handling of the situation is under intense scrutiny, with calls for transparency and accountability growing louder by the day.