Kejriwal claims Instagram account restricted in India, tells Meta not to ‘bow down to PM Modi so much’

Kejriwal alleges Instagram account restricted in India

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday claimed that his Instagram account has been restricted in India, accusing Meta, the parent company of Instagram, of acting under political pressure.

In a post on social media, Kejriwal questioned the platform's decision and alleged that the restriction was linked to his criticism of the central government.

"Don't bow down to PM Modi so much," Kejriwal said, directing his remarks at Meta while urging the company to act independently.

Questions Meta's content moderation

The former Delhi chief minister alleged that technology companies should remain politically neutral and ensure equal treatment for all users, regardless of their political affiliations.

Kejriwal said any restriction on public representatives' social media accounts should be accompanied by a clear explanation and a transparent review process.

The AAP leader did not specify the exact reason cited by Instagram for the reported restriction.

Political row intensifies

The claim has added to the ongoing political debate over the role of social media platforms in moderating online content.

The AAP has frequently accused digital platforms of acting selectively, while the BJP has maintained that technology companies should enforce their community guidelines uniformly.

The latest remarks are likely to fuel fresh discussion on freedom of expression, platform accountability and the regulation of online content in India.

Meta yet to respond

As of now, Meta has not issued an official public statement addressing Kejriwal's allegation.

Instagram typically restricts content or accounts when it determines that they may have violated its community standards or when required to comply with applicable legal requests. However, the company has not confirmed whether either of these reasons applies in this instance.

Debate over digital platforms

The controversy comes amid increasing scrutiny of global technology companies over content moderation, transparency and their handling of politically sensitive material.

Lawmakers, civil society groups and digital rights advocates have repeatedly called for clearer rules governing how social media platforms restrict accounts and remove content.