Centre unblocks Maktoob Media's X handle

New Delhi: The X account of online news portal Maktoob Media, which had been blocked by the Union government citing a “legal demand”, has been unblocked on Saturday, reports Siasat.

Maktoob was preparing to approach the Supreme Court of India next week to challenge the blockade, which was done without due notice or explanation.

Maktoob editorial team’s first message on X after the restoration read, "At 4 PM today, Maktoob was informed by X that our account is no longer withheld in India. This development comes just as we had prepared a petition to file in the Supreme Court of India next week, challenging the blocking order after receiving no response from the concerned ministries of the Government of India."

"While this is a significant relief for our team, we remain deeply affected by the unwarranted and opaque nature of the action taken against us," it read.

"We sincerely thank the Internet Freedom Foundation, the lawyers involved, and everyone who spoke up in support of press freedom. Your support, advice, and solidarity have meant a great deal during this time," Maktoob's statement read.

The portal also wrote on X, “While this is a significant relief for our team, we remain deeply affected by the unwarranted and opaque nature of the action taken against us. We sincerely thank the Internet Freedom Foundation, the lawyers involved, and everyone who spoke up in support of press freedom. Your support, advice, and solidarity have meant a great deal during this time.”

It was on May 8 that the Centre withheld Maktoob’s X account, citing “legal demand”.

Maktoob Media, an independent Indian news portal, has made many critical reports against oppression. It mainly focuses on reporting human rights violations and atrocities against minorities in India as well as across the globe.