The Delhi Police has sent formal takedown notices to Instagram to remove several protest‑related reels and posts. Over 400 overseas accounts were blocked, but the exact scale of removals remains unclear.

Key Takeaways

  • Multiple protest reels removed from Instagram
  • More than 400 foreign accounts blocked
  • Total number of removed posts not disclosed

The Delhi Police is actively issuing takedown notices to Instagram for reels and posts that surfaced during youth protests at Jantar Mantar and elsewhere. A senior officer confirmed that the process is ongoing and that other government agencies sometimes flag the same content.

Officials also revealed that they have blocked over 400 social‑media accounts operating from outside India that were posting “offensive” protest material. They did not provide a precise count of removed items, stating, “We do not keep a count because there are too many.”

Historical Background

The 36‑day NEET protest at Jantar Mantar in July 2026 sparked a wave of digital activism. Students documented police lathis, tear‑gas, and pellet‑gun usage through reels, memes, and digital artwork, making the movement as much an online phenomenon as a street one.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that systematic takedown drives risk chilling free speech online, especially when they target political dissent without transparent legal mandates.

“For digital rights to survive, clear procedures and public accountability are essential,” says a senior lawyer at the Internet Freedom Foundation.
Did You Know?: Under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, many takedown requests are automatically complied with by platforms, effectively granting authorities near‑instant censorship power.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Were all removed posts violent or defamatory?
Answer: No, many were peaceful critiques of police action and visual documentation of the protest, which fall under political expression.

Question 2: Are other government agencies involved in the takedown drive?
Answer: While the exact number of agencies is unclear, reports suggest multiple bodies are flagging similar content.