<p>According to Elon Musk’s X (previously Twitter), the government has given X “executive orders” directing it to take action on certain accounts and postings about the current farmer demonstrations. On the other hand, the social networking site has said that it opposes these measures and that the postings shouldn’t be removed due to the right to free speech. “X is required under executive orders issued by the Indian government to take action on certain accounts and postings, or face severe consequences, including as jail time and large fines.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-431460″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-x-disagrees-with-the-governments-executive-order-to-block-accounts-and-posts-relat.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com x disagrees with the governments executive order to block accounts and posts relat” width=”998″ height=”749″ title=”X "disagrees" with the government's "executive order" to block accounts and posts related to farmer protests 12″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-x-disagrees-with-the-governments-executive-order-to-block-accounts-and-posts-relat.jpg 700w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/theindiaprint.com-x-disagrees-with-the-governments-executive-order-to-block-accounts-and-posts-relat-150×113.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px” /></p>
<p>We disagree with these actions and believe that freedom of speech should extend to these postings, thus we will withhold these accounts and posts in India alone in accordance with the directives,” X said in a post.</p>
<p>On request from the Ministry of Home Affairs, it is said that the Ministry of Electronics and IT has ordered social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, X (previously Twitter), and Snap to temporarily remove 177 accounts that were connected to farmer demonstrations.</p>
<p>35 Facebook accounts, 35 Facebook links, 14 Instagram accounts, 42 X accounts, 49 X connections, 1 Snapchat account, and 1 Reddit account were all targeted by the orders. Interestingly, this is the first time the Center has filed a blocking order against Snap, despite the fact that the government often removes Facebook and X accounts.</p>
<p>The social networking site demanded that the banning order be made public in order to increase transparency and said that a writ appeal against the Indian government’s blocking orders is still underway. “We feel that making the executive orders public is crucial for openness, but we are unable to disclose them due to legal constraints. According to X, this lack of transparency may result in arbitrary decision-making and a lack of responsibility.</p>
<p>Farmers from all throughout the nation have been demonstrating in order to demand their rights, which include a forgiveness of agricultural debt and a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops.</p>
<p>Following the death of a protestor and the injuries of around twelve police officers during altercations at a protest site near the Punjab-Haryana border, farmer leaders decided to postpone their march to the nation’s capital for a period of two days on Wednesday.</p>
