X to block over 8,000 accounts in India on government order
New Delhi: Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter and owned by billionaire Elon Musk, announced on Thursday that it will block over 8,000 accounts in India following executive orders from the Indian government. The move comes in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people and led to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as a surge in misinformation online.
While X did not publicly name the accounts, it confirmed that the list includes "international news organisations and prominent X users." The platform said it had received no evidence or justification for a significant number of these accounts, raising concerns about the transparency of the government's directive.
The company emphasized that it will withhold the accounts only within India to comply with local laws and avoid potential penalties, including heavy fines and possible imprisonment of its local employees.
"This decision was not easy," X said in a statement. "We disagree with the Indian government's demands, which we believe amount to censorship of both existing and future content, and violate the fundamental right to free speech."
X has begun notifying affected users about the impending action and urged them to seek legal remedies through the courts. The platform reiterated its commitment to transparency and stressed the importance of public access to government orders, although it stated that legal constraints prevent the publication of the executive directives at this time.
The company also stated it is exploring all available legal avenues in response to the government's action.
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EAM Jaishankar meets Jamaican PM, gifts over 10 BHISHM Cubes
Kingston (PTI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and discussed ways to further deepen "political, economic and people-to-people cooperation."
Jaishankar also conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Holness.
"Pleased to call on Prime Minister @AndrewHolnessJM in Kingston. Conveyed the greetings of PM @narendramodi," Jaishankar posted on X.
"Discussed deepening our political, economic and people-to-people cooperation. Value his commitment towards further strengthening India-Jamaica relations," the post further read.
Also, the external affairs minister handed over 10 BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes as a gift to Jamaica.
"Formally handed over 10 BHISHM Cubes as a gift from India to Jamaica, in the presence of PM @AndrewHolnessJM, Health Minister @christufton and FM @kaminajsmith," Jaishankar posted on X.
"The BHISHM Cube mobile hospital system, designed for rapid deployment, will help Jamaica during disasters and emergencies. The gift of these cubes is a statement of friendship, a commitment to disaster preparedness, and an outcome of innovation," the post said.
Jaishankar arrived in Kingston on Saturday evening, marking the first leg of his nine-day tour of Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, aimed at further strengthening India's strategic and cultural ties with the Caribbean nations.
Earlier in the day, he interacted with the Indian diaspora and discussed India's ongoing transformation in infrastructure, human development and technology-driven governance and entrepreneurship with them.
He also highlighted the cricket bond between both countries as India gifted a scoreboard to Jamaica.
A scoreboard was dedicated at Sabina Park in Kingston. It is the home of the Jamaica cricket team and is the only Test cricket ground in the Caribbean island nation.
The minister expressed hope that the new scoreboard would witness many memorable innings, including those symbolising the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Cricket has long been a strong cultural bridge between India and Jamaica, which is part of the West Indies cricket team.
Jamaican players, including Chris Gayle, Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding, have played a major role in shaping the legacy of West Indies cricket in the international arena, contributing to its dominance in earlier decades and its continued global appeal.
