Akhilesh Yadav's Facebook Account Restored; IT Minister Says 'No Role' After SP Alleges 'BJP Suppressing Oppn Voice'

Lucknow: The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Friday lashed out at Bharatiya Janata Party after suspension of Facebook account of SP president and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. While SP claimed it as an "attack on democracy", after the account was restored today, Union IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw clarified that government had "no role" in the suspension.

Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw made it clear that the government had "no role" in blocking the account. "There was an abusive post from his account, and Facebook blocked it as per its policies," he said.

Earlier, Samajwadi Party leader Fakhrul Hasan Chaand accused the BJP of suppressing the voice of the Opposition. He also termed it "an attack on democracy".

"The suspension of the Facebook account of the respected national president of the country's third largest party, Shri Akhilesh Yadav ji, is an attack on democracy. The BJP government has imposed an undeclared emergency in the country, where it wants to suppress every voice raised in opposition," Chaand said in a post. "However, the Samajwadi Party will continue to oppose the anti-people policies of the BJP. @yadavakhilesh," he added.

National Secretary of Samajwadi Party, Rajeev Rai, also condemned this act, saying it's a blow to India's democratic system. "Blocking the account of the leader of the third largest party in the country's parliament, the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Honorable Shri @yadavakhilesh ji, by FACEBOOK is not only condemnable but also a blow to India's democratic system," Rai's X post read.

Rai also said that if the BJP has done this, then it's a "mistake". "If this has been done at the behest of the ruling party, it is a sign of cowardice. Trying to suppress the voice of socialists is a mistake. @facebook @samajwadiparty," Rai added.

Moreover, Pooja Shukla, the Samajwadi Party's MLA from Lucknow North, called out Facebook for suspending Akhilesh Yadav's account without any warning or notice. "Facebook has dared to cross its limits -- it has suspended the official page of Akhilesh Yadav ji (@yadavakhilesh) without any warning or notice.

This is not an ordinary account -- this is Akhilesh Yadav ji , the voice of millions! Facebook must remember its boundaries -- it cannot silence democracy. Samajwadis, it's time to bring Facebook to its senses! Such arrogance will not be tolerated," Shukla said.

Another Samajwadi Party leader, Pawan Pandey, also criticised Facebook for suppressing the voice of Akhilesh Yadav and urged the company to respect its boundaries.

"Facebook has today crossed all its limits -- without any warning or notice, it has suspended the official page of Akhilesh Yadav ji (@yadavakhilesh). This is no ordinary account -- it has made a vile attempt to suppress the voice of Akhilesh Yadav ji, which represents Indian democracy and the voice of millions of people! Facebook should remember its boundaries - it cannot silence democracy," Pandey's X post read.

"It's time for the socialists to bring Facebook to its senses! Such arrogance will not be tolerated," Pandey added.

Read More

1. UP Opposition Leader Mata Prasad Pandey Under House Arrest
2. UP Govt Spends Rs Five Crore Every Month To Secure 400 Statues Of Dalit Icons Built During Mayawati's Tenure