The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued emergency blocking orders against 177 social media accounts and links related to the farmer protests to maintain “public order”.

As reported by Hindustan Times, the orders were issued on February 14 and February 19 at the request of the home ministry. They were issued for the “duration of the agitation” after which their visibility will be restored.

The orders on February 19 were issued against 35 Facebook links, 35 Facebook accounts, 14 Instagram accounts, 42 X accounts, 49 X links, one Snapchat account, and one Reddit account. Representatives from Meta, X and Snapchat attended a meeting yesterday with the section 69A blocking committee. 

Under section 69A of the Information Technology Act, the government can block access to information that poses threat to sovereignty, security and integrity of India, spoils friendly relations with other countries or public order, among others.

The protesting farmers have multiple demands, including an MSP law. Trying to head to Delhi, they’ve been camped along Shambhu border, amidst heavy police deployment, for the past week even as their fourth round of talks with the central government were held on Sunday.

Newslaundry has been at ground zero since their agitation began. Watch this video on their demands, the police action, and the approach taken by the centre.

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