New Delhi, In a move that highlights the Modi government’s tightening grip on censorship, Twitter (now X) has blocked the accounts of at least two journalists reporting on the ongoing farmers’ protest in India. The accounts of Punjab-based journalists Sandeep Singh and Mandeep Punia, as well as the Twitter handle of Gaon Savera, an organization run by Punia, were taken down on Wednesday afternoon in India.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the suspension of these Twitter handles comes in response to a legal demand by the government of India, marking another instance of the government’s efforts to control the narrative surrounding the farmers’ movement. This action against independent journalism is part of a broader crackdown on information dissemination related to the protests, which includes earlier measures such as the suspension of mobile internet services, bulk SMS, and dongle services across several districts in Haryana.

The ongoing farmers’ protest, which has seen thousands marching towards New Delhi, aims to secure a law governing the Minimum Support Price, a move driven by the rising losses faced by the agricultural sector. However, the protesters have been met with significant resistance from authorities, including the use of force at the Punjab-Haryana border, resulting in injuries to dozens of farmers.

This latest development underscores the challenges faced by journalists and activists in reporting on contentious issues in India, raising concerns about freedom of the press and the right to information in the world’s largest democracy. The blocking of journalists’ Twitter accounts is a stark reminder of the increasing measures taken by the government to suppress dissenting voices and control the flow of information to the public.