Social Media Platform Twitter has restored the accounts related to kisan agitation in India. Twitter had suspended around 250 accounts citing legal issues. It had said that it has received complaints against these accounts. Social media activists had termed decision of the Twitter as an attempt to suppress voice of farmers.
Among those accounts that were withheld earlier in the day were Caravan magazine and Kisan Ekta Morcha, a joint front representing the farmers protesting against the Centre’s agricultural laws. By 9 pm, most of the accounts were back and functional. It is not known as to what triggered the reversal of the decision.
Twitter had said its action was in response to a legal demand.
Earlier in the day, the accounts were withheld based on the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs and law enforcement agencies to prevent any escalation of law and order situation during the kisan agitation.
“Ministry of Electronics and IT directed Twitter to block around 250 tweets/Twitter accounts which were using #ModiPlanningFarmerGenocide hashtag and making fake, intimidatory and provocative tweets on January 30,” said a news agency. The Ministry of Electronics & IT ordered that the accounts and tweets be blocked under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. However, The Hindu, citing sources, reported that Twitter was likely to challenge the order as the accounts were not in violation of its policy.
