Amid the crackdown on Amritpal Singh and his organisation Waris Punjab De and the internet ban in Punjab, several Twitter accounts have been withheld in India. The withheld accounts include the Twitter accounts of Canadian politician Jagmeet Singh, poet Rupi Kaur, voluntary organisation United Sikhs, MP from Sangrur Simranjit Singh Mann, Advocate Jaspal Singh Manjhpur and many prominent Punjab-based journalists.
There have also been restrictions on other social media platforms.
The journalists whose accounts have been withheld are Kamaldeep Singh Brar, a senior staffer with the Indian Express based in Amritsar, and freelance journalists Gagandeep Singh and Sandeep Singh. The Twitter handle of news website Baaz News has also been withheld.
One of the journalists whose account was suspended told SinghStation that they only ever used their Twitter account to share news.
“I don’t know why my account has been suspended. I only shared facts and information relating to my stories on my Twitter account,” the journalist said, requesting anonymity.
Journalists and commentators have criticised what they described as the excessive action taken by the authorities.
“Shockingly, the Twitter handles of Punjab-based journalists, who are continuously reporting on #AmritpalSingh incident has been withheld in India. While there is no unrest in #Punjab on the ground, why authorities want to make it look like turmoil,” wrote Parteek Singh Mahal, a reporter with the Hindustan Times.
Shockingly, the Twitter handles of Punjab based journalists, who are continuously reporting on #AmritpalSingh incident has been withheld in India. While, there is no unrest in #Punjab on the ground, why authorities want to make it look like turmoil.
— Parteek Singh Mahal (@parteekmahal) March 20, 2023
Journalist Aditya Menon said in a tweet: “Shameful that journalist @Gagan4344’s Twitter account has been withheld in India. He had been providing balanced and timely information on developments in Punjab.”
Shameful that journalist @Gagan4344‘s Twitter account has been withheld in India. He had been providing balanced and timely information on developments in Punjab. pic.twitter.com/RUH5Jfqkrm
— Aditya Menon (@AdityaMenon22) March 20, 2023
Addressing a press conference on Monday afternoon, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which is in government in Punjab said that the move to curb internet services was to prevent the spread of “fake news”.
“When a government deals with such sensitive issues, they need to ensure that people don’t circulate fake news about it. It is done to maintain peace in the state. All governments do it. If you cannot use internet, calling services are available,” AAP national spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said.
Earlier on Sunday the Twitter account of Sangrur MP and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann was also withheld.
Meanwhile, Punjab police said that the search for the Khalistani activist continued on Monday. Punjab inspector general of police Sukhchain Singh Gill described the law and order situation in the state as “peaceful”.
He said that a total of 114 people had been arrested since Saturday and 10 weapons were recovered.
“We have a very strong suspicion of an ISI (Pakistan’s intelligence agency) angle, based on the facts and circumstances that have come to light so far. We also have a very strong suspicion of foreign funding. Going by the circumstances, it seems that ISI is involved and there is foreign funding as well,” he said.
Authorities said on Monday that Mr Singh is still on the run.
Punjab health minister Balbir Singh said: “This is a matter related to security and if he is arrested, then the DGP will inform you.”
The Khalistan movement is seen as a national security threat in India, and various organisations under this umbrella have been banned by the Indian government, including Sikhs for Justice as recently as 2019.