India: Twitter gives in to the arm wrestling of the authorities and blocks accounts
These blockages come as the social network has just accepted, after a long standoff, to put in place the new rules for moderation of its content, which offer more powers to the Indian authorities.
Olivier DOULIERY AFP / Archivos
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
In India, Twitter has just blocked access to the accounts of four artists and activists who supported the huge farmers' demonstration that has been going on for more than six months to protest against the reform of the government sector.
A decision that comes as the social network has just accepted, after a long standoff, to put in place the new rules for moderation of its content, which offer more powers to the authorities.
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With our correspondent in New Delhi,
Sébastien Farcis
Two of the Twitter accounts blocked in India belong to Punjabi-born hip-hop singers who live in Australia and Canada: L-Fresh the Lion and
JazzyB
.
Stars who came to support the farmers who are camping near New Delhi and who then
used their music to support this movement
.
Growing politicization of music
Divjot Singh, a young Punjabi from New Delhi, saw the increasing politicization of their music.
“
Punjabi music is one of the most popular in India,” he
explains.
On YouTube, some videos have 300 million or even a billion views.
And the audience is very large: there are many young people from all over northern India, including Hindus, who form the traditional electorate of the ruling BJP.
This music was not political before, but it has become so with this peasant movement, and that may influence these fans to speak out against the BJP.
"
No explanations
The government has not explained the reasons for the blocking of accounts, but it could be because of the tribute paid in recent days to the 1984 Sikh extremist insurgency movement which is considered an act of terrorism.
Rapper JazzyB took to Instagram this time to say he will continue to speak out on behalf of farmers.
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Also to listen: In India, the revolt of farmers explodes and repression too
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