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Instagram has restricted access to the @Muslim account for users in India. The page, one of the largest Muslim news platforms with 6.7 million followers, was blocked following a legal request from the Indian government.
Instagram users in India attempting to visit the @Muslim handle now encounter the message:
“Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”
The restriction has not gone unnoticed by followers or the page’s founder.
Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, founder and editor-in-chief of the account, confirmed the development:
“I received hundreds of messages, emails and comments from our followers in India, that they cannot access our account.”
He sharply criticized the move, stating:
“Meta has blocked the @Muslim account by legal request of the Indian government. This is censorship.”
Meta Responds with Policy Reference
While Meta declined to issue a direct statement, a spokesperson referred inquiries to the company’s policy page. The platform’s guidelines explain that content can be restricted when national governments deem it in violation of local laws.
The action was first spotlighted by User Magazine, a tech news outlet founded by American journalist Taylor Lorenz.
Broader Crackdown on Pakistani Content
The ban on @Muslim is not an isolated incident. In recent days, India has taken sweeping action to limit the visibility of Pakistani figures and content online.
Access to Instagram accounts of notable Pakistani personalities, including former Prime Minister and cricket star Imran Khan, has been blocked.
The clampdown extends further: Pakistani celebrities such as Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam are now restricted in Indian cyberspace, alongside renowned cricketers like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shahid Afridi, and Wasim Akram.
India has also banned over a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels, accusing them of promoting “provocative” content, which includes coverage by Pakistani news media.
Escalating Regional Conflict and Media Suppression
The digital restrictions coincide with the most serious military flare-up between India and Pakistan in twenty years. The two nuclear-armed neighbors have recently exchanged heavy fire along their disputed border following fatal air strikes conducted by New Delhi. These strikes, which reportedly killed dozens, were launched after India accused Pakistan of supporting a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir.
Pakistan has vowed retaliation, declaring it will “avenge” the deaths caused by Indian aggression.
Amid this unrest, misinformation has surged online, with social media users spreading deepfakes as well as outdated visuals falsely tied to the conflict.
Call for Justice and Free Media
Al-Khatahtbeh, in a public statement, offered an apology to Indian followers and took a firm stance on the issue:
“When platforms and countries try to silence media, it tells us that we are doing our job in holding those in power accountable.”
He urged Meta to reverse the decision, stating:
“We will continue to document the truth and stand out firmly for justice.”
As the situation escalates, international leaders are beginning to take notice. On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump called on both India and Pakistan to “immediately halt their fighting,” offering to mediate in hopes of easing tensions.
