'Not Going To Work': Abhijeet Dipke Slams Instagram Crackdown, Warns of Growing Public Distrust

News india 'Not Going To Work': Abhijeet Dipke Slams Instagram Crackdown, Warns of Growing Public Distrust

Last Updated:October 28, 2026, 12:38 IST

Abhijeet Dipke criticises the Instagram crackdown, saying account takedowns will not erase public grievances. Delhi High Court seeks Centre’s response on a related handle case.

Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) activist Abhijeet Dipke has criticised the government’s measures to take down social media posts and accounts, arguing that restricting content on platforms such as Instagram will not address the issues prompting citizens to raise questions.

In a post on X on Wednesday, Dipke said the government’s crackdown on Instagram was unlikely to achieve its intended objective, warning that censorship could further erode public trust.

“The Instagram crackdown is not going to work!" Dipke wrote, adding that the government was taking down thousands of posts and accounts every day but was missing a fundamental point.

“Instagram is just a platform where people are raising their questions. The reasons behind those questions exist far beyond social media, and taking down accounts won’t make them disappear," he said.

Dipke further cautioned that restricting online expression could deepen distrust among citizens who expect the government to address their concerns.

“If anything, this censorship risks creating even more distrust among the very people the government is supposed to answer to," he added.

Dipke’s remarks come amid wider scrutiny of content moderation policies, digital takedown directives and freedom of expression on social media platforms.

According to news agency ANI, activists and political outfits have faced repeated suspensions under directives such as Section 69(A) of the Information Technology Act.

Platforms, including Meta and X, have also been asked to restrict posts and handles raising questions about youth unemployment, governance and public infrastructure.

Activists have argued that social media platforms serve as channels through which citizens express grievances originating in the real world.

They maintain that restricting online activity does not resolve the underlying socioeconomic concerns, including paper leaks, job creation and institutional transparency.

DELHI HIGH COURT SEEKS CENTRE’S RESPONSE ON INSTAGRAM HANDLE

The debate over social media restrictions comes against the backdrop of a legal challenge to the withholding of an Instagram handle.

On October 27, the Delhi High Court issued notice to the Central Government and the concerned department on a petition challenging the withholding of the account. The matter has been listed for hearing on November 6.

The ‘Bring Back Ballot’ initiative is associated with petitioners Mission Save Constitution and advocate Mehmood Pracha, its national convenor.

According to the petition, the Instagram handle was withheld on October 10, the day of a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

The account reportedly displayed a message stating, “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."

Advocate Sanawar Chaudhary, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that no notice, hearing, reasons or copy of any order had been furnished to the petitioners.

The petition stated that the handle advocated a return to paper ballots in Indian elections under the slogan “EVM Hatao Desh Bachao" and mobilised citizens for the October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar.

It also stated that prior intimation about the protest had been given to the Delhi Police on October 9.

Justice Amit Mahajan issued notice to the Central Government and the concerned department, seeking a response to the petition.

Advocate Amee Rana appeared for Meta Platforms and accepted notice. Central Government Standing Counsel Ashish Dixit appeared for the Centre and accepted notice on behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and its designated officer.

The petition was moved through advocate Nikhil Guliani, challenging the withholding of the account.

The matter is scheduled to be heard on November 6. The court has sought the government’s response to the challenge to the Instagram restriction.

About the Author

Vani Mehrotra

Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.

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