A video showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi eating jhalmuri, a popular street snack from West Bengal, during a rally on April 19 has been restricted in India on Facebook and Instagram. The clip was shared by The Observer Post and later taken down for viewers in India.
Users attempting to view the video reportedly received a message stating: “Post not available in India. This is because we restricted access to this content pursuant to Indian law.”
The notice further added, “We are legally required to restrict access to your video in certain locations. We have taken this action based on a local legal requirement or a request from a government.”
The editorial team at Observer Post says that they were surprised by the restriction, pointing out that the content only showed the Prime Minister participating in a public event and trying a local food item.
Video Goes Viral Before Restriction
According to reports, the video clip had gained significant traction online, reportedly crossing 100 million views on social media platforms within 24 hours of being shared on Instagram. The clip showed Modi interacting with people and trying jhalmuri during his public rally in West Bengal.
Publication Questions Removal
The Observer Post has questioned the decision to block the video, arguing that it was simply a repost of publicly available footage of the Prime Minister.
The platform has not yet issued any official clarification on why the specific content was restricted or whether a government request triggered the takedown.
Platform Cites Legal Compliance
Meta’s notification indicated that the restriction was implemented due to “local legal requirements” or an official request from authorities, a standard procedure under content regulation frameworks that allow governments to request takedowns or geo-restrictions.
As of now, there has been no public statement from the government explaining the reason behind the restriction of the video in India.
