Jalandhar, In a move that has stirred controversy and raised concerns over freedom of speech, the Narendra Modi-led government has withheld approximately 100 social media accounts associated with the ongoing farmers’ agitation in India. These accounts, belonging to farmer union leaders and supporters of the farmers’ cause, were suspended as the protesters prepared to resume their march to Delhi to press for their demands.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the action comes amidst calls from the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, two major bodies spearheading the farmers’ protests, for farmers across India to join them in Delhi today. Protesting at the borders between Punjab and Haryana, farmers are demanding a legally guaranteed minimum support price (MSP) for crops, a pension scheme for farmers and farm laborers, a waiver of farm debts, and no increase in electricity tariffs.

Farmer union leader Gurpreet Sangha, in an interview, highlighted the government’s crackdown on their digital platforms, stating that around 100 social media accounts were withheld in India on Tuesday, just a day before the scheduled march to Delhi. Sangha himself experienced the suspension of three of his X (formerly Twitter) accounts, consecutively made after each was blocked in India, indicating a deliberate attempt by the government to silence their campaign.

“The government’s message is clear: they will not let the farmers speak, leaving no room for debate on the rights or wrongs,” Sangha remarked. Despite the crackdown, Sangha assured that the protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi would proceed, regardless of the number of farmers that manage to reach the site. He emphasized the organic nature of the announcement, expecting farmers from regions beyond Punjab and Haryana to lead the protest.

This incident marks the third instance of social media account withholdings by the Indian government in response to the farmers’ protests since they began on February 13. Previous instances occurred on the eve of similar calls to march to Delhi, with over a dozen accounts withheld on February 12 and several more across platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram following the call on February 21.

Farmer union leaders have criticized this pattern of suspending social media accounts as a tactic employed by the Modi government to thwart their efforts to mobilize and express their grievances publicly. The withholding of these accounts underscores the ongoing tension between the government and the agricultural community, which has been protesting a series of laws they argue would undermine their earnings and favor large corporations.