Complying with the order of the Government of India to block accounts and web links connected to the ongoing farmers’ protest, X has said that it will withhold the accounts and posts only within the country and stated that it disagrees with the orders.

“… we disagree with these actions and maintain that freedom of expression should extend to these posts”, a statement from X said.

According to Hindustan Times, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, at the request of the Ministry of Home Affairs under section 69A of the IT Act, had issued orders on 14 and 19 February 2024 ordering social media platforms to block 177 social media accounts and web links that are related to the ‘Delhi Challo March’ farmers’ protest.

In its statement, X mentioned that the executive orders were “subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment.” It informed that the company has made a writ appeal challenging the Indian government’s blocking orders which remains pending. Further, X also said that it had sent notices of these actions to its impacted users.

“This lack of disclosure can lead to a lack of accountability and arbitrary decision-making,” X stated.

The farmers are demanding Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their produce.