India: Congress Alleges Instagram Blocked Rahul Gandhi's Post Due to MeitY Rules

The Indian National Congress on Sunday claimed that Instagram had blocked a reel and photo post by Rahul Gandhi featuring him and actor-politician Vijay, attributing the action to rules by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The post, which included pictures from Vijay's oath-taking ceremony as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, had garnered significant views before being blocked.

The block was reported by Congress leader Srivatsa on X, who alleged that Meta provided no reason for the block and implied it was part of a long-term suppression of Rahul Gandhi's social media presence.

However, sources in MeitY denied any involvement in the blocking, stating it was an error by Instagram's internal system that had since been corrected.

The incident has sparked a exchange between the Congress and government sources, with the Congress suggesting the block was an attempt to curtail the opposition leader's voice.

The case is expected to be monitored closely, with potential further action depending on the response from both parties and any subsequent statements from Meta or MeitY. The situation may lead to renewed discussions on social media regulation and political censorship in India.