Elon Musk’s social media platform X is locked in a legal battle with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government over sweeping internet censorship in India. In March, X filed a lawsuit in the Karnataka High Court, arguing that India’s growing crackdown on online content violates constitutional free speech protections.
The dispute began after Indian police flagged a 2023 post calling a ruling-party politician “useless,” claiming it could incite communal tension. That post remains online, one of hundreds cited in X’s legal challenge.
Since 2023, India has broadened its censorship powers, allowing thousands of police and officials to issue takedown orders directly to tech firms via a government portal called Sahyog. X refused to join the portal, calling it a “censorship portal,” and is now contesting the legal basis of the system.
Court filings reveal takedown requests targeting not just misinformation, but also satire, political cartoons, and news about sensitive events like a deadly stampede. Even BJP supporters have faced scrutiny, including a lawyer whose playful post about a rival politician prompted a police notice.
India argues its approach ensures accountability and is supported by other tech giants like Meta and Google, though both declined to comment. Musk, a vocal free-speech advocate, has clashed with governments worldwide, but India — one of X’s largest markets — may be his most complex challenge yet.
