The Kashmiriyat’s X handle reinstated after nine days; Here's what politicians said on the ban

May 17, 2025 by News Desk

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The Kashmiriyat’s X (formerly Twitter) account, which was withheld by the Government of India on May 8, 2025, has been reinstated as of May 17 (Saturday). The account’s suspension sparked widespread political outrage and condemnation across Jammu and Kashmir, with many viewing the move as a serious blow to press freedom and democratic values in the region.

The ban had affected not only The Kashmiriyat but also Kashmiri media platforms such as Free Press Kashmir and Kashmir Life, along with senior journalists including Muzammil Jaleel and Anuradha Bhasin. Political leaders, civil society members, and journalists decried the decision as an alarming attempt to silence independent voices reporting on ground realities.

New Delhi based Maktoob Media which was banned on the same day has also been restored.

Senior CPI(M) leader and former legislator Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said, “The reinstatement of The Kashmiriyat’s account is a positive development, but the initial blocking highlighted the shrinking space for independent journalism in Kashmir.”

National Conference spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar commented, “It is concerning that such measures were taken in the first place. Freedom of speech must be protected under all circumstances, and the reinstatement should not be the exception but the norm.”

Aga Muntazir Mehdi of the People’s Democratic Party emphasized, “The Government of India must withdraw all arbitrary restrictions on credible media outlets. The withholding of X accounts of Kashmir Life, Free Press Kashmir, and The Kashmiriyat was an assault on free press and democratic functioning.”

MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi (National Conference) called the initial ban “deeply troubling” and reiterated that “truth-telling in Kashmir must never be punishable.”

MLA Mehraj Malik (Doda) stated, “While we welcome the reinstatement, the ban was a direct assault on press freedom. We urge the state government to actively safeguard democratic values and prevent such incidents in the future.”

Sheikh Khursheed, MLA from Langate, remarked, “Independent media outlets like Kashmir Life, Free Press Kashmir, and The Kashmiriyat play a vital role in amplifying local voices. Their temporary blocking was a setback for press freedom in Kashmir.”

Abrar Rashid, son of jailed MP Engineer Rashid, added, “Democracy thrives when journalism is protected, not punished. The restoration of these accounts is essential, but the initial action raises serious concerns.”

The Jammu Kashmir People’s Party condemned the ban as “an attempt to silence critical voices and choke the space for truth and accountability,” urging the government to recognize independent media’s indispensable role in democracy.

“We are relieved that The Kashmiriyat’s X handle has been restored after being withheld in India on May 7. We sincerely thank the Internet Freedom Foundation, Maktoob, journalist and legal bodies, civil society members, political leaders, the public, and members of the government whose timely response made this possible,” the statement read.

As per the statement, The Kashmiriyat also expressed thankfulness to the media bodies that chose silence — their inaction helped people see the complicity and selective nature of support for press freedom in India.

“The ban hit us hard — X remains a vital platform for most media outlets across India. We have always upheld fair, honest, and ground-based journalism. Our handle should never have been withheld. But we return with greater clarity and an even stronger resolve to keep reporting — and resisting silence,” the statement added.

Unlike many news outlets, The Kashmiriyat has consistently focused on underreported issues in Kashmiri society, including caste, class, gender-based violence, and human rights violations, often operating in the region’s grey zones beyond mainstream narratives.