Maktoob Media’s X account withheld in India after government legal request
New Delhi: Maktoob Media, an independent digital news outlet known for its coverage of marginalised communities and minority issues, announced on Thursday that its official X (formerly Twitter) account has been withheld in India following a legal request from the Indian government.
The media organisation said the action was taken without any prior notice or explanation to its editorial team. In a statement issued on other platforms, Maktoob condemned the move, calling it an attack on press freedom.
“We have no knowledge of the reason for the government’s arbitrary action. It is an assault on press freedom,” the statement said.
Maktoob Media also reaffirmed its commitment to continue reporting, especially “at a time when truth is becoming a casualty.” The editorial team appealed to supporters to help amplify its journalism by sharing links from its website and other platforms.
“At this hour of crisis, we ask our allies to share links from our website to help people access our reporting. We are many, many more than them,” the statement added.
There has been no official comment from the government regarding the legal basis for the withholding of the account.
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Minister Parameshwara says remarks on properties linked to drug peddlers 'misunderstood'
Tumakuru (PTI): Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said his recent remarks on the demolition of properties linked to those involved in narcotics trade were "misunderstood and misinterpreted".
His clarification follows remarks made two days ago on the government's uncompromising crackdown on the drug menace, including action against properties linked to foreign nationals allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
"It is unfortunate. It is taken in the wrong sense. I didn't mean that tomorrow itself I am going to send bulldozers and demolish the houses. That was not my intention. It was wrongly taken," he told reporters here.
Responding to Congress MLC K Abdul Jabbar's question in the legislative council on the growing drug menace in Bengaluru, Davangere and coastal districts, the minister on Thursday detailed the extensive enforcement measures initiated since the Congress government assumed office.
Pointing to the involvement of some foreign nationals, the minister had said, "Many foreign students from African countries have come to Karnataka. They are into the drug business. We catch them and register cases against them, but they want the case to be registered because once the case is registered, we cannot deport them."
"We have gone to the extent of demolishing the rented building where they stay," he had said.
