Meta restricts access to the @Muslim Instagram news account in India at the government's request, sparking outcry over censorship amid India-Pakistan tensions.
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| India blocks @Muslim Instagram account as geopolitical tensions escalate with Pakistan; Meta cites compliance with local law as critics raise censorship concerns. Image: CH |
New Delhi, India — May 8, 2025:
Meta has blocked access to the @Muslim Instagram account in India at the request of the Indian government, a move widely criticized as censorship amid mounting tensions between India and Pakistan.
Instagram users in India attempting to access the account—followed by over 6.7 million people globally—are now met with the message: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, founder and editor-in-chief of the @Muslim account, confirmed the ban on Wednesday, stating:
“Meta has blocked our account due to a legal request from the Indian government. This is a clear act of censorship. We will continue to report the truth and stand firmly for justice.”
Meta declined to comment directly but pointed to its global policy of restricting content in response to government requests when it allegedly violates local laws.
The ban follows similar actions against Pakistani public figures and media channels, including cricketers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, actor Fawad Khan, and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, whose social media accounts have also been restricted in India.
The crackdown coincides with the deadliest India-Pakistan military confrontation in two decades. Following India’s missile strikes on Pakistani territory—after blaming Islamabad for a deadly attack in Kashmir—both sides exchanged heavy artillery fire. At least 43 fatalities have been reported.
Pakistan has denied involvement and vowed retaliation, raising fears of a broader regional conflict. In this heated context, India's actions to restrict access to cross-border media and personalities have intensified.
The @Muslim account, one of the most followed Muslim news platforms on Instagram, is known for covering issues relevant to Muslim communities worldwide. Al-Khatahtbeh apologized to followers in India and emphasized that media freedom must be preserved.
“When platforms and governments try to silence us, it shows we’re doing the right thing by holding power accountable,” he said.
India’s broader digital crackdown includes bans on more than a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels and social media accounts for allegedly spreading “provocative” content.
The situation has also led to a surge in misinformation across social platforms, with users sharing deepfake videos and unrelated images falsely linked to the conflict.
In response to the escalating crisis, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged India and Pakistan to halt hostilities and offered U.S. mediation to de-escalate tensions.