The Battle for India's Internet: X Takes on Modi Government Over Censorship

A high-stakes battle is unfolding over the future of free speech in India, pitting Elon Musk's social media platform X against the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A groundbreaking investigation by Reuters has pulled back the curtain on a critical legal fight in which X is challenging what it deems to be an unconstitutional and illegal expansion of the Indian government's power to censor online content.

At the heart of the conflict is a lawsuit filed by X in the Karnataka High Court. The company, led by the self-proclaimed "free-speech absolutist" Elon Musk, argues that India's tightened internet regulations are being used to empower thousands of government officials to suppress legitimate criticism and silence dissent.

The investigation reveals a dramatic escalation in the government's censorship capabilities. Since 2023, a new government website has streamlined the process for a vastly expanded number of officials to file takedown orders directly with tech platforms. Between March 2024 and June 2025 alone, Indian agencies ordered X to block or remove approximately 1,400 posts and accounts.

An analysis of over 2,500 pages of non-public legal documents shows the sweeping nature of these requests. The government's targets have included not only misinformation but also legitimate news reports about a deadly stampede and satirical cartoons critical of the prime minister and other political figures.

The Indian government maintains in its court filings that these measures are essential tools to combat the spread of illegal content and ensure accountability online. It also noted that other major tech companies, including Meta and Google, support its regulatory framework, though both declined to comment on the matter.

The outcome of this legal showdown carries immense weight. It represents a crucial test for the Modi government's content removal system and has profound implications for all tech companies operating in India, one of X's largest global markets.

The conflict is further complicated by Musk's own public statements. Despite the intense legal battle, he has openly praised Prime Minister Modi and expressed optimism about investing in the country, highlighting the complex dance between corporate interests and the global fight for digital freedom.

The court's decision will likely set a powerful precedent for the future of the internet, not just in India, but for democracies around the world grappling with the balance between regulation and free expression.