Srinagar, May 11, KNT: The X account of Iltija Mufti was withheld in India on Monday following what the platform described as a “legal demand,” triggering political reactions and fresh debate over freedom of expression in Jammu and Kashmir.
Users attempting to access the account were shown a notice stating that the account “has been withheld in IN in response to a legal demand.”
Soon after the development, the People’s Democratic Party issued a public statement criticizing the move and raising concerns over suppression of democratic voices.
In a post on X, the PDP said withholding the account of Iltija Mufti, whom it described as a prominent party leader who consistently speaks on critical issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir, raises serious concerns regarding freedom of expression.
“Withholding the account of Ms. Iltija Mufti, a prominent JKPDP leader who consistently speaks on critical and important issues concerning Jammu & Kashmir, raises serious concerns about freedom of expression and suppression of democratic voices,” the party said.
The PDP further stated that transparency and accountability are essential in a democracy and argued that “silencing voices will not silence the issues.”
The party tagged X owner Elon Musk while sharing the statement online.
The exact nature of the legal demand or the authority behind the action was not immediately disclosed. Neither X nor government authorities issued any detailed public clarification regarding the withholding of the account till late evening.
The development sparked reactions on social media, with supporters of the PDP terming the move politically concerning, while others demanded transparency regarding the legal basis for withholding the account.
Iltija Mufti has remained politically vocal on multiple issues related to Jammu and Kashmir and frequently uses social media platforms to comment on governance, security, and political developments in the region.
The withholding of social media accounts in India generally occurs following legal requests under applicable information technology and regulatory frameworks. [KNT]
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