Kharge Slams Centre Over Free Speech, Claims 1.95 Lakh Content-Blocking Orders Sent to Social Media Platforms.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday accused the Centre of carrying out what he described as a “brazen and calculated attack” on free speech. He claimed that the government issued around 1.95 lakh content-blocking orders to social media platforms between March and July 2026. Sharing an infographic on X, Kharge alleged that the government’s approach to online censorship was undermining citizens’ democratic right to speak, question and dissent. He compared the alleged social media restrictions with the use of force against young protesters.

Kharge claimed that nearly 1.95 lakh blocking orders were issued in just five months, amounting to roughly one order every 68 seconds. He alleged that the action was particularly targeted at students and young people protesting over examinations and accountability. According to Kharge, posts and videos supporting the protests were systematically removed from social media following government directions. He also accused supporters of the ruling party of engaging in online harassment, including doxxing and threats against women, while claiming that critics of the government faced takedowns, FIR notices and intimidation.

He further alleged that the government had reduced the time available for content takedown and relied increasingly on automated systems, which he claimed could result in content being removed without adequate human review. The Delhi Police has defended its handling of protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) at Jantar Mantar before the Supreme Court. The police told the apex court that its personnel exercised “maximum restraint” and used only the minimum force necessary to control the situation.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi District) Sachin Sharma said the situation escalated after protesters allegedly became violent and breached multiple barricades while attempting to march towards Parliament. The affidavit was submitted in response to petitions alleging excessive use of force during the demonstrations. Addressing claims that police used lathis fitted with nails, Sharma rejected the allegation and said the video footage cited in support of the claim consisted of only a single video.