Congress claims Instagram censored Rahul Gandhi-Vijay reel; Centre blames tech glitch
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New Delhi: Congress accused Instagram of blocking a viral reel and photo post by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi featuring Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay’s oath-taking ceremony, alleging MeitY rules were behind it. The Centre dismissed the claims, pinning the issue on a platform glitch.
Gandhi attended Vijay’s swearing-in in Chennai on Sunday, where Congress supported TVK to form the Tamil Nadu government. He shared photos and a reel from the event across social media.
Congress leader Srivatsa alleged on X that Instagram restricted Gandhi’s reel—which hit 12 million views in an hour—and a photo post reaching 46 million users. “Meta cites no reason as to why his account has become inaccessible. The “glitch” is because of MEITY rules! Rahul Gandhi’s social media accounts have been suppressed for a long time,” he claimed, citing drops in X reach, YouTube views, and Instagram followers.
AICC communication secretary Ruchira Chaturvedi echoed this, saying Meta first blocked the Gandhi-Vijay video, then Gandhi’s Instagram story flagging the censorship.
MeitY sources refuted involvement, telling PTI: “It is clarified that MeitY had nothing to do with this action. It was because of the platform’s own internal system mistakenly flagging the post for blocking, which has now been restored.” They stressed no ministry direction triggered the block.
The video was later reinstated, with the government attributing the furore to Instagram’s moderation error.