Meta has complied with a request from the Indian government to block access to the widely followed Instagram page, @Muslim, which boasts over 6.7 million followers. The page’s founder, Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, announced the block on Wednesday, sparking criticism of censorship as tensions between India and Pakistan escalate due to ongoing violence.
Users in India trying to access the page were greeted with a message saying, “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.” The ban silences a significant Muslim news platform amidst the increasing violence along the Kashmir border, the worst in two decades.
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Khatahtbeh condemned the action as censorship, stating that the blockage had upset many followers in India. Meta, which owns Instagram, did not provide an immediate comment but referred to its public policy on content restriction based on local laws.
The timing of the ban comes amid escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan, with the recent violence leading to over 40 deaths and further diplomatic tensions. The @Muslim account is a major platform for Muslim news and has garnered significant influence in the global Muslim community.
Despite the block, Khatahtbeh remains resolute, arguing that attempts to silence the media only strengthen his mission of holding powerful entities accountable. He called on Meta to reinstate the account in India, advocating for justice and transparency in reporting.
This ban adds to a series of social media restrictions in India, including blocks on Pakistani YouTube channels and social media accounts of high-profile Pakistani figures. The rising tensions between the two nations have also led to a surge in online misinformation, complicating the already strained relationship. In response, former US President Donald Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire and offered to mediate the conflict between India and Pakistan.
