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Instagram has blocked four posts by Scroll on the social media platform since June, citing “legal requirements” under the Union government’s Information Technology Rules.
The platform informed Scroll through a message on its dashboard that access to the content had been restricted in India “through an automated system implemented pursuant to legal requirements” under the rules.
On August 6, a post about Scroll’s report on how most pellet gun victims in Kashmir have not received compensation even a decade after they were injured was blocked. A second post with a photo in which pellet injuries were not visible, published later in the day, was also restricted. Instagram did not provide a specific reason for the actions.
On July 5, a post relating to a Scroll article about how Kashmir’s turbulent history has, for several years, provided grist for Bollywood creators looking to generate xenophobic content, was initially restricted when it included a screenshot from teaser of the film Chauhaan, showing pellet injuries. A separate post with a photograph of Srinagar’s Lal Chowk was allowed, and is still available. No specific reason was provided for this.
The platform also blocked a post on June 22 about an article explaining how a ban on the sale of meat in Amritsar had triggered a legal challenge and raked up a contentious history. It did not specify a reason for doing so, apart from citing legal requirements under the IT rules.
Three weeks prior to this, on June 1, the platform restricted a post relating to a Scroll article reporting about a United States court postponing the sentencing of Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta, who pleaded guilty in an alleged plot to kill Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. In this case as well, Instagram did not provide a specific reason for why the post was blocked.
The posts were restricted only on Instagram, and remain visible on other Meta-owned platforms such as Facebook and Threads, even though they include the same visuals.
Scroll has requested comment from Meta, the parent company of Instagram. This story will be updated if we receive one.
Written by Nachiket Deuskar. Edited by Neerad Pandharipande.
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