Indian activists demanded Twitter restore the accounts, arguing that the social media platform was curtailing freedom of speech.

“Journalists, activists charged with sedition for reporting on the farmers’ protest, their Twitter accounts suspended, the world cannot afford to ignore this dictatorship,” tweeted activist Rana Ayyub.

On Monday, after 12 hours of public pressure, Twitter restored the suspended accounts. It said the suspensions were routine.

“If we receive a properly scoped request from an authorised entity, it might be necessary to withhold access to certain content in a particular country from time to time, a spokesman said.”

The social media platform said its investigation found the accounts had not broken its free speech guidelines.

Activists claim there is an ongoing crackdown on freedom of speech in India.

Nine journalists and a senior Congress Party politician, Shashi Tharoor, face criminal charges for tweeting that the protester who died on Jan 26 was shot. The Indian police deny the allegations and say he died after his tractor overturned.

Telegraph, London



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