The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has blocked the X (formerly Twitter) account of senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader and Senator Sherry Rehman, drawing strong condemnation and reigniting concerns over digital censorship and freedom of expression.

The ban comes in the wake of heightened tensions following the April 22 Pahalgam incident, where an alleged attack claimed 26 lives and injured several others. In response, India has reportedly taken a series of restrictive actions against Pakistan, including digital clampdowns.

Reacting to the block, Senator Rehman took to social media from other platforms to criticize the Indian government’s move. Referring to India as the “Hindutva Republic,” she said being silenced by such a regime was “a badge of honour.” She decried the shrinking space for peace advocacy and open communication, emphasizing the need for dialogue between the two countries.

“Voices for peaceful coexistence are dwindling, especially across the border, where fear of abuse silences many,” she said. Rehman also reiterated the importance of engaging in dialogue on long-standing issues such as Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that military solutions are not viable in a nuclear-armed region.

This is not the first instance of India blocking Pakistani officials’ social media presence. Accounts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari have also been previously restricted.

The move is part of a broader trend of increasing digital censorship in India. Platforms like X have confirmed receiving orders from the Indian government to block over 8,000 accounts—many linked to human rights, minority voices, and independent journalism. Media outlets have also faced bans.