India Blocks Austrian Activist’s X Account Over “Dismantle India” Posts
The Indian government has blocked the X (formerly Twitter) account of an Austrian activist, Gunther Fehlinger, after his controversial posts created outrage online.
The Indian government has blocked the X (formerly Twitter) account of an Austrian activist, Gunther Fehlinger, after his controversial posts created outrage online.
What happened?
Fehlinger, who calls himself an economist and activist, posted messages on X demanding the “dismantling of India” and showing support for Khalistan, a separatist movement. His posts were seen as anti-India and triggered sharp reactions from political leaders as well as the public.
Government action
Soon after the posts went viral, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) asked X to block his account in India under IT Act rules. The government said such content threatens the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of the nation.
Public reaction
Many Indians strongly condemned Fehlinger’s remarks. Politicians across parties also criticized the posts, calling them an attack on India’s democracy and unity. Supporters of Khalistan abroad have often used social media to spread their views, but this latest case has received more attention because of its direct anti-India tone.
Why it matters
This move highlights how India is becoming strict against foreign interference on social media platforms. The government has repeatedly said that while free speech is allowed, hate speech and anti-national campaigns will not be tolerated.What did he say?
Fehlinger, who identifies himself as an economist and NATO supporter, made a series of posts calling for the “dismantling of India”. He also wrote in support of Khalistan, a separatist demand for a separate Sikh state. His posts quickly spread across social media and triggered anger among Indians.
Government’s response
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) directed X to block Fehlinger’s account for Indian users. Officials said the posts violated Indian laws and posed a threat to the country’s sovereignty and integrity.
- The government made it clear that while social media is open for discussion, anti-India propaganda will not be allowed.
- Similar actions have been taken in the past against accounts promoting separatism or spreading fake news.
- Netizens strongly condemned Fehlinger’s posts, with hashtags like #DismantleIndia and #BanGunther trending briefly.
- Political leaders from both ruling and opposition parties rejected the remarks, saying such foreign interference is unacceptable.
- Many also questioned why a foreign activist was commenting on India’s internal issues in such a provocative way.
Bigger picture: Foreign interference on social media
This is not the first time India has acted against foreign accounts spreading sensitive or divisive content. In recent years:
- Several pro-Khalistan handles based abroad were restricted.
- The government has also tightened rules under the IT Act, requiring platforms like X, Facebook, and YouTube to remove harmful content quickly.
Experts say such steps are necessary in today’s digital era, where one post from abroad can reach millions in India within minutes.
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Last Updated on: Friday, September 5, 2025 7:48 pm by News Centre24 Team | Published by: News Centre24 Team on September 5, 2025 7:48 pm | News Categories: News
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