The Congress party has accused Instagram of blocking a viral reel and photo post featuring Rahul Gandhi alongside Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay after the Chennai swearing-in ceremony. The party linked the issue to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) regulations and alleged suppression of Gandhi's social media reach. However, government sources denied any role, stating that the platform mistakenly flagged the content before restoring it.
Congress's Allegations
Congress leaders claimed that the removal of the post was a deliberate attempt to curb Rahul Gandhi's online presence. They argued that such actions undermine democratic discourse and freedom of expression. The party demanded an investigation into the matter.
Government's Response
Government officials categorically denied any involvement, emphasizing that social media platforms operate independently. They stated that the flagging was a technical error and that the content was quickly restored. The MeitY also clarified that no directive was issued to block the post.
Background
The controversy erupted after a widely shared reel showed Rahul Gandhi and C. Joseph Vijay at the swearing-in ceremony. The post gained significant traction before being temporarily unavailable. Instagram later reinstated the content, citing a mistake in their automated moderation system.
Political Reactions
The incident has sparked a political debate, with opposition parties criticizing the government's alleged interference in social media. Meanwhile, the ruling party dismissed the allegations as baseless and accused Congress of creating a false narrative.
This episode highlights ongoing tensions around content moderation and political influence on digital platforms in India.
