Saket Gokhale alleges Modi govt made 8863 orders to remove content, suspend accounts on Twitter
New Delhi: Trinamool Congress national spokesperson Saket Gokhale on Wednesday hit back at the government over refusal of former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey’s claims that the Indian government “pressured” the microblogging site to act against the critical voices during the farmers protest.
Through a series of tweets, Gokhale has cited official data from Twitter Transparency Reports which suggests that the Centre cracks down critical voices. He shared that India submitted maximum government requests for account information during the peak of Anti-CAA and farmers protests.
Between January to December 2020, the government demanded for user details of 5830 accounts which saw an exponential increase of 425% compared to information sought on 1057 accounts in 2019. He stated that the government made 8863 orders for removal of content & account suspension on Twitter in 2021. However, only 32 were court-ordered.
Gokhale also compared the data with other countries which showcased that India accounted for 8% of the global demands of suspension of Twitter accounts. India made 3992 orders for suspension of 12,916 accounts whereas UK and US ordered suspension for 16 and 32 accounts respectively. Only Turkey (4284) and Russia (8370) demanded for more suspension of accounts than India.
It is crystal clear, Gokhale suggests, that the Modi government made “unprecedented demands for Twitter censorship during the anti-CAA & Farmer Protests”. He further questioned whether the ruling party will have the guts to deny this data and term the same as “lies” and “foreign conspiracy”.
Nailing the lies of Modi Govt on Twitter ex-CEO Jack Dorsey's allegations of censorship & spying:
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) June 14, 2023
Modi Govt has denied allegations of indulging in spying & pressure on Twitter & called them "lies".
But here's the truth based on data from Twitter's Transparency Reports.
In the recorded period of the peak of the Anti-CAA & Farmers Protest:
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) June 14, 2023
India submitted MAXIMUM GOVT REQUESTS FOR ACCOUNT INFORMATION GLOBALLY during this period
Indian Govt account requests for this period represent 25% OF GLOBAL VOLUME & 15% of ALL GLOBAL ACCOUNTS
(2/13) pic.twitter.com/oyhmEMxvKA
Now in 2021 (COVID period)
— Saket Gokhale (@SaketGokhale) June 14, 2023
Indian Govt requests for user details comprised 19% of TOTAL GLOBAL REQUESTS.
Let's compare this with % of global requests from other countries:
UK was 4%
Germany was 6%
Brazil was 2%
AND WAIT...
PAKISTAN WAS LESS THAN 1%
(4/13) pic.twitter.com/d6RtOD5OV4
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Empowering Bengaluru: Hitachi Rail Supports Sanjay Gandhi And St Josephs
Corporate Social Responsibility is often spoken about, but meaningful action is what truly makes a difference. In Bengaluru, Hitachi Rail STS India has demonstrated how responsible corporate engagement can directly support society by strengthening healthcare services and promoting education for students who need support.
As part of its CSR initiatives, the company has contributed ₹66 lakh towards important community causes in the city. The contributions focus on two critical areas that shape the well-being and future of society — healthcare and education.
A significant portion of the contribution, ₹50 lakh, has been donated to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital in Bengaluru. The funds will be used to purchase essential medical equipment that will help the hospital enhance its healthcare services. With growing patient needs and increasing demand for advanced medical facilities, such support plays an important role in strengthening public healthcare infrastructure.
The cheque for this contribution was formally handed over by Mr. Manoj Kumar Krishnappa, Director and Head of Hitachi Rail STS India, to Dr. Madan Ballal, Director of Sanjay Gandhi Hospital. The gesture highlights the company’s commitment to ensuring that hospitals serving large sections of the public have the tools and equipment required to deliver better treatment and care.
Healthcare support, however, was only one part of the company’s broader community effort. Recognising that education remains the foundation of long-term social progress, Hitachi Rail STS India also contributed ₹16 lakh to the Jesuit Education Society in Bengaluru, a unit of St. Joseph’s School and College. The funds will be used to support students who require financial assistance, enabling them to continue their education and access opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Manoj Kumar Krishnappa emphasised that the company believes businesses have a responsibility that goes beyond commercial success. According to him, initiatives that strengthen healthcare systems and support the education of underprivileged students help create a stronger and more inclusive society.
Such initiatives reflect a broader philosophy within Hitachi Rail STS India — that corporate growth and social responsibility must move together. By investing in healthcare infrastructure and educational support, the company aims to contribute to lasting improvements in the communities where it operates.
Hitachi Rail STS India is widely recognised as a leading provider of advanced railway signalling and transportation solutions. The company focuses on innovation, safety, and sustainable mobility in the transportation sector. At the same time, through its CSR initiatives, it continues to extend its impact beyond engineering and infrastructure by supporting social development and community welfare.
In a rapidly growing city like Bengaluru, partnerships between institutions and responsible corporate entities can play a crucial role in addressing social challenges. Contributions such as these not only strengthen healthcare facilities and educational access but also set an example of how industry can actively participate in building a healthier and more equitable society.
(Girish Linganna is an award-winning science communicator and a Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst. He is the Managing Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany.)
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or position of the publication, its editors, or its management. The publication is not responsible for the accuracy of any information, statements, or opinions presented in this piece.
