Meta blocks Instagram accounts of Indian news outlets critical of BJP
Meta disables accounts of Deshabhimani, No Cap, others after critical posts, raising censorship alarm for independent media in India
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Meta has blocked or suspended Instagram accounts of several Indian news outlets known for their criticism of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, raising fresh concerns over digital platform moderation and press freedom in the world’s largest democracy.
Among the affected outlets is Deshabhimani, a Malayalam-language newspaper affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist), whose Instagram account was disabled on February 1, the day India’s federal budget was presented.
The online news portal No Cap also reported that its Instagram account was permanently suspended, while national outlet The Wire said its account was briefly blocked in India for nearly two hours on Feb. 9 before being restored.
Sajan Evugen, coordinating editor of Deshabhimani’s digital edition, said the organization was not informed of any specific violation of Meta’s community standards. “We submitted an appeal but have not received any response,” he said, adding that the account had posted multiple news updates related to the Union government’s budget on the day it was disabled.
A report by the newspaper suggested the action may be linked to its coverage critical of policies of the BJP and its ideological parent organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The publication frequently highlights what it describes as neglect of Kerala by the Union government and has sharply criticized majoritarian politics and communal polarization.
Ali Hyder, executive editor of No Cap, said his outlet initially received a generic notice citing a community standards violation but was not told which post triggered the action. After submitting an appeal, he said, Meta imposed a permanent suspension, referencing “community violence” without further clarification.
Hyder noted that recent posts included reporting on alleged links between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s name and the so-called Epstein files, as well as content critical of the RSS.
Meta has not publicly detailed the reasons for the suspensions.
Digital rights advocates in India have long warned that content moderation decisions by global technology companies can disproportionately affect independent and opposition-aligned media, particularly in politically sensitive periods such as elections or major policy announcements.
India ranks among the largest markets for Meta platforms, including Instagram and Facebook. The recent suspensions come amid ongoing debate over the relationship between technology companies and governments, as well as concerns about shrinking digital space for dissent.
Several other Instagram pages critical of the Narendra Modi government were reportedly disabled in the same week.
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