New Delhi: The BJP government at the Centre, which has faced accusations of using central agencies and state mechanisms to suppress dissenting voices emerging from various platforms and political leaders, finds itself in turmoil following the recent revelation made by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey.
Dorsey in an interview claimed that the Modi government had forced Twitter to act according to their instructions against the farmers’ protest with the threat of potential raids and shutting its operations down in India.
His claims, however, have corroborated the accusations made by opposition parties against the Modi government, which has reportedly taken actions against political leaders, certain media persons, and media houses, including the popular Malayalam news channel Media One and the BBC, allegedly in response to their airing of a controversial documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots, for being dissenting voices against the government and its political ideology based on Hindutva.
Following Dorsey’s revelation, the opposition parties rallied against the government, terming his claims as vindicating what they have been complaining about the Modi government for years that they alleged is akin to strangulating democracy and its values.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut expressed concern over the situation, stating, "I have seen how the democracy of the country and freedom are under threat and how democracy is being strangulated behind the curtain. This makes it clear." Raut's sentiments were echoed by senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, who criticized the Modi government for its alleged attempts to suppress dissenting voices.
During an interview with the YouTube channel Breaking Points, Dorsey reiterated that Twitter had received multiple requests from the Indian government to block accounts covering the farmers' protests and criticizing the government. He also disclosed that the platform had been threatened with shutdowns and raids at its employees' homes in the country.
Responding to Dorsey's claims, Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar accused Twitter of repeated violations of Indian law. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi dismissed Chandrasekhar's remarks, stating that the government cracked down on the platform only when it began supporting opposition voices.
Renowned farmer leader Rakesh Tikait confirmed the suspicion that attempts were made to limit the reach of social media posts related to the farmers' protests. He added, "Such companies don't come under anyone's pressure. Govt of India must have made such attempts... What he said is correct," quoted ANI.
Congress leader DK Shivakumar expressed concern over the revelations made by Dorsey, describing the situation as alarming for free speech and democracy in India.
This controversy adds to the previous clash between Twitter and the Indian government during the height of the farmers' protest in 2021 when the platform was asked to take down accounts allegedly linked to the "Khalistan" movement.
As the Opposition leaders unite in their criticism, the central government now faces increasing pressure to respond and address the allegations of stifling democracy and infringing upon freedom of expression in the country.