People protest in opposition to the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Bandipora district of Kashmir on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Imran Nissar
Social media handles of a number of information shops based mostly in Jammu and Kashmir had been taken down on Tuesday (March 3, 2026) by Meta, which runs Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The transfer got here within the wake of widespread protests in J&Ok for the previous three days over the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei on February 28.
The affected shops embody distinguished Srinagar-based organisations such because the Greater Kashmir, Rising Kashmir and Kashmir Life.
In an announcement, Kashmir Life, stated its verified Facebook and Instagram pages “became inaccessible in India on Monday (March 2, 2026) afternoon after Meta restricted access at the request of law enforcement authorities”.
Quoting the Meta’s response, the information portal stated the handles “were restricted under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000”.
Kashmir Life, within the assertion, stated it was “a professionally managed organisation that has been in operation for 17 years”. “It upholds the highest standards of journalism and is a major responsible media outlet operating in Jammu and Kashmir. The organisation has written to Meta seeking detailed clarification regarding the specific grounds, scope, and duration of the restriction, as well as the procedural options available for review or redressal,” it stated.
End censorship: Mehbooba
Former J&Ok Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti decried the transfer. “The censorship of news organisations such as Greater Kashmir, Kashmir Life, and Rising Kashmir, is deeply concerning. Such actions not only silence legitimate voices but also undermine the fundamental right to freedom of expression. The J&K government must also immediately end any censorship of media in the region,” Ms. Mufti stated.
Ms. Mufti stated when established media voices are sidelined, the ensuing void is commonly crammed by obscure or unreliable sources, which might distort public discourse and erode belief in journalism.
She urged Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, J&Ok Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha and J&Ok Chief Minister Omar Abdullah “to review the situation urgently and reinstate these accounts”. “Upholding press freedom is essential for a healthy democracy and maintaining public trust,” she added.
PDP chief and legislator Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi stated, “Restricting or suppressing lawful reporting during critical periods only deepens public mistrust. Silencing the press is not a solution, it is a step backward.”
J&Ok Peoples Conference (JKPC) chief and legislator Sajad Lone stated the absence of mature establishments “will do more harm”. “At times, it has been seen that the space vacated by responsible institutions can be filled by unknown entities, further harming the cause of a free and responsible media. The administration should unblock the handles,” Mr. Lone stated.
Police warning
Earlier, the J&Ok Police stated it took “serious cognisance of the deliberate circulation of false, fabricated, and misleading information by certain news channels, media outlets, and individuals across electronic and social media platforms”.
The police additionally lodged a primary info report (FIR) on this regard. “Several profiles have been identified, and the individuals concerned have been summoned to the Cyber Cell. Investigation is actively under way, and strict legal action will follow against anyone found involved,” the police stated. It warned in opposition to spreading pretend information, inflammatory content material, or unverified info. “It will invite stringent legal consequences,” the police stated.
Published – March 03, 2026 10:24 pm IST
