Facebook-owned Instagram seems to have blocked the hashtag #sikh on its platform for a short period of time amid the farmers’ protest march against Centre’s farm laws.
Earlier in June, users on Facebook and Instagram complained that the sites were blocking the hashtag #Sikh at a time the community was remembering Operation Bluestar.
As per the latest reports, whenever the #sikh hashtag is searched, the app shows an error message window. Social media platforms Instagram and Facebook, as a result, are drawing flak for allegedly blocking the #sikh hashtag.
Sikh artists, politicians and celebrities are tagging the photo-sharing app and complaining about what they say is “discriminatory” behaviour.
“This is appalling. There is NO good reason for Instagram to be blocking the hashtag for the entire #Sikh community – not just once, but twice! Answers AND regulation are urgently needed of social media platforms,” wrote one user.
“Once again Instagram has temporarily suspended the hashtag #Sikh. That’s 2 times this year that this hashtag has been suspended. This is ridiculous especially with what’s happening to Sikh farmers right now in India! Fix this Facebook,” another user said.
Here’s a look at how Twitter reacted to Instagram’s latest action:
Instagram has once again blocked the #Sikh hashtag amidst the Punjab farmers' protest.
The social media network blocked the #Sikh hashtag in June this year with its owner Facebook, which also censored posts earlier this month during #SikhGenocide Week.https://t.co/efcBtDAdSL pic.twitter.com/rQbIN1osaB
— SikhPressAssociation (@SikhPA) November 28, 2020
This is appalling. There is NO good reason for @instagram to be blocking the hashtag for the entire #Sikh community – not just once, but twice! Answers AND regulation are urgently needed of social media platforms. https://t.co/b66kBYUlzr
— Dr Priya Atwal (@priyaatwal) November 28, 2020
#Shame on @instagram for hiding the #sikh hashtag from the Instagram platform.#IStandWithFarmers pic.twitter.com/xKdUpw9Clk
— Manjinder Singh (@kaim_Manjinder) November 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/SinghLions/status/1332668703469498368?s=19
@Facebook @instagram have once again blocked the #sikh hashtag. How can an entire faith be erased and hidden? The forces of delhi are everything they can to silence us. @team_greenhalgh pic.twitter.com/wmlYPoxEdB
— Sri Guru Singh Sabha (@sgsssouthall) November 28, 2020
https://twitter.com/HSinghSidhu/status/1332605756907147265?s=19
@instagram blocked SIKH hashtag yet again. Censorship because we’re talking about farmer rights? Do better stop censoring our voices #Sikh pic.twitter.com/mmkelbuRi0
— Sukhi Kaur ☬ (@SukhiKaur_1) November 28, 2020
It should be mentioned here that this development came when thousands of farmers have reached the national capital, responding to the “Delhi Chalo” call against the contentious farm laws – The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020 and the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 – passed by Parliament in its monsoon session.