Tamil Nadu Police Orders X to Suspend Accounts Over 'Anti-TVK' Posts, Citing Threat to Public Order
The Tamil Nadu Police Cyber Crime Wing issued a takedown notice to X Corp. on Friday, ordering the suspension of over 20 X accounts. The notice, issued under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 and Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, 2021, alleged that the posts contained provocative and politically sensitive remarks capable of inciting public unrest and disturbing public tranquillity. Police claimed the content could adversely impact law and order, potentially leading to loss of life and damage to public property. The notice also invoked Section 189 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Most of the targeted accounts were associated with DMK supporters and had shared videos, commentary, and posts critical of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam and the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Office. The police directed X to immediately remove or disable access to the flagged accounts and URLs, while also taking proactive measures to prevent further dissemination of similar content. The notice warned that failure to comply could result in X losing intermediary liability protections under Section 79(1) of the IT Act, exposing the platform to potential legal prosecution. Authorities demanded a compliance report within three hours, calling the matter one of grave concern.
Among the listed accounts were MaridhasAnswers, KovaiNithya, Hereprak, Rationalist_RMD, and SparkPluz_. Maridhas alleged that the "route mafia" was attempting to silence dissent using police- and court-backed legal actions, claiming those in power were targeting free speech while pretending to act lawfully. Kovai Nithya reacted by alleging that instead of acting against those spreading rumours through videos made by a person speaking from abroad, authorities were targeting those who merely demanded action, mocking the situation as the "Route Mafia screenplay."
This move reflects a wider pattern across Indian states, where governments led by different political parties have increasingly invoked cyber crime laws and IT Rules to classify critical, oppositional, or satirical online content as threats to public order or public tranquillity. Meanwhile, C. Joseph Vijay was sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Sunday at Chennai's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, along with his cabinet members. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam had emerged as the single largest party in the 2026 Assembly elections, ending the long-standing dominance of the Dravidian majors in Tamil Nadu politics.