Category: INDIA

The Union Government has directed a mass takedown of posts satirising, mocking and criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accounts condemning the Centre’s response to the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations on X and Instagram.

Several posts were taken down over the course of February 2026, including a post by Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia referencing a viral “mistranscription” of a Sanskrit subhashita previously cited by Modi, posts criticising the treatment and targeting of minorities in India and two animated satirical cartoons featuring the Prime Minister, according to a report by The Hindu.

Although statistical data on the number of posts taken down was not available, The Hindu‘s analysis of posts that received takedown orders showed that these orders are classified. Social media platforms accept the takedown orders by making the posts unavailable in India, but they can be seen in other countries.

Meta’s most updated takedown record shows that the number of content removed due to government orders from January to June 2025 was three times higher than during the same period in 2023. This does not include the content in India also taken down globally due to violations of community standards.

The Wire‘s two animation videos satiring Modi were targeted with notices on both X and Instagram, and when the website’s founder Siddharth Varadarajan reshared the second video, it was also taken down.

Congress also claimed that their satirical posts, which were generated by artificial intelligence (AI), were taken down. Party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said that in total, nine posts were taken down.

Although it remains unclear how many orders were issued in the recent weeks, many public figures have come forward with receipts claiming their content that criticised the PM was taken down.

Cartoonist Satish Acharya, on Tuesday, March 10, said he received two notifications in three days from X, citing orders from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to block two of his cartoons.

“Though this govt has lots of ‘tejaswi log’, let me share a pro-tip. My experience for the last 15 years on social media teaches me that whenever any govt/politician tries to stop a cartoon by force, that cartoon normally reaches ten times more readers!” he wrote in a social media post.

Social media firms have almost no choice but to take down posts

Notably, orders issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, are confidential. With Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, however, there has been a major shift, The Hindu reported. Platforms now reportedly have only two to three hours instead of the original 24 to 36 hours to process the government takedown order before risking legal impunity.

If they miss the three-hour window, they could be prosecuted, and thus they have little choice but to comply and deliver the message to affected users.

With most orders issued under Section 69A, Pranesh Prakash, cofounder of the Centre for Internet and Society, said they are “unconstitutional” because users are given a limited opportunity to be heard and there was no “public reasoned order.”

X, before it was bought by Elon Musk and operated as Twitter, regularly shared details of such orders, with a database made available and accessible to journalists and researchers. With the access halted, the volume of the orders can no longer be established.

Orders issued to right-wing activists as well

Two accounts linked to far-right-wing activists were also blocked, according to The Hindu. Sarthak Bhagat, a Hindutva worker, had recently staged a protest against the alleged murder of Tarun in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar after an altercation during Holi. Another account named woke_kashmiri with more than 2 lakh followers was withheld in India. Both these accounts had previously spoken out against the UGC regulations.

Twenty crew members from a Thai-registered cargo vessel were rescued after the ship was struck by unidentified projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, Thailand’s Transport Ministry said on Wednesday. However, three crew members remain missing following the attack.

According to the ministry, the crew abandoned the vessel in a lifeboat after an explosion occurred at the stern of the ship, triggering a fire in the engine room. The missing crew members were reportedly working in the engine compartment when the blast occurred.

The rescued sailors were picked up by the Omani navy after leaving the vessel. Authorities have not yet confirmed the cause of the projectile strike or the identities of the attackers.

The ship, identified as the Thai-owned Mayruree Naree, was one of three commercial vessels reportedly targeted in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, marking the end of a 72-day pause in maritime hostilities in the region.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that three vessels were attacked in the strategic waterway. Maritime reports cited by British outlet Seatrade Maritime said one cargo ship caught fire after being hit by an unidentified object roughly 11 nautical miles off the coast of Oman.

Initial evacuation procedures were launched, but UKMTO later said the blaze had been brought under control. Some crew members reportedly remained on board to assist with recovery and damage assessment operations.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical shipping routes, handling a significant portion of global oil and cargo traffic.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday assured that the Indian government is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of Indians living in the Gulf region amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia. Addressing a public rally in Ernakulam, the Prime Minister said India has always used its full strength to protect its citizens abroad.

‘New India Stands With Its People’

Referring to the large Indian diaspora working in Gulf countries, Modi acknowledged that many families in India are concerned about the escalating conflict in the region.

“It is natural for all of you to worry about the situation in West Asia today. Millions of our brothers and sisters work there. But remember that the BJP-NDA government is in power today. Whenever our citizens have faced trouble anywhere in the world, we have used all our strength to protect them,” he said.

He further stressed that the “new India” does not abandon its people during crises and continues to extend support to those caught in conflict zones.

Gulf Countries Helping Indians: PM

The Prime Minister also thanked friendly Gulf nations for assisting Indian citizens during the ongoing crisis. According to him, Indian embassies and diplomatic missions across the region are working round the clock to support citizens.

“Our embassies and missions are operating 24/7 to help Indians. They are providing food, accommodation and protection to those who need assistance,” he said, expressing satisfaction that Gulf governments are also ensuring the safety of Indian nationals.

Modi Targets Congress Over Remarks

During his speech, Modi criticised the Indian National Congress for what he described as irresponsible remarks on the government’s handling of the West Asia situation.

He alleged that the opposition party was attempting to politicise a sensitive global crisis.

“It is unfortunate that the Congress party is trying to do politics during such a serious global situation. They are giving provocative statements that could create disruption,” Modi said.

Call For Political Change In Kerala

Apart from foreign policy issues, Modi also used the rally to urge voters in Kerala to break the cycle of alternating governments led by the UDF and the LDF.

“You have given the Congress and the Left more than 70 years. Now give the BJP-NDA a chance to serve you. You will see the vision of a ‘Viksit Kerala’,” he said, appealing for political change in the state.

Mumbai: Flight operations at Mumbai’s Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport continued to witness disruptions on Wednesday, March 11, with 59 flight movements cancelled, affecting both arriving and departing services. The cancellations come amid growing aviation uncertainties linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

According to airport movement data, 27 arriving flights and 32 departing flights were cancelled during the day, bringing the total number of affected Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) to 59.

However, the number of cancellations showed a decline compared to the previous day. On Tuesday, March 10, the airport recorded 92 cancelled flight movements, including 30 arriving flights and 62 departing flights.

The reduction in cancellations on Wednesday has offered some relief for passengers, although airline operations continue to remain cautious due to the evolving geopolitical situation.

The disruptions are being linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has begun affecting international aviation routes. The region serves as a major corridor for global air travel, especially for flights operating between Asia, Europe, and parts of Africa.

As tension escalates between Iran, Israel, and the United States, airlines operating across the region have started reviewing flight paths and operational schedules. Concerns over airspace safety and the possibility of military activity in certain zones have led several carriers to cancel flights, suspend routes, or divert aircraft to safer air corridors.

Aviation authorities and airlines are continuing to closely monitor the situation, and further operational adjustments may be made depending on developments in the region.

Passengers travelling through Mumbai airport have been advised to check the status of their flights with airlines before heading to the airport, as schedules may change at short notice.

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New Delhi: Ninety-eight per cent HR leaders in India say their organisations would be more efficient if better English assessments were used during hiring, while most of them believe AI cannot compensate for poor English proficiency, according to the TOEIC Global English Skills Report released by Educational Testing Services (ETS).

Princeton-based ETS, which is known for conducting exams like TOEFL and GRE, has published the report based on an online survey of 87 HR decision makers in India.

The research is part of a broader ETS survey of 1,325 HR decision makers in 17 countries — Brazil, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE and Vietnam. “In India, 97 per cent of employers say English proficiency is more important now than it was five years ago. Despite widespread use of English assessments, HR decision makers in India continue to report unmet needs, particularly around proven quality and cost. Organisations also face persistent barriers related to constraints around integration, time and scaling,” the report said.

“Most HR leaders believe AI cannot compensate for poor English proficiency, reinforcing the need for reliable assessment,” it added.

While 94 per cent of HR decision makers in India say increased global collaboration heightens the need for English proficiency, 84 per cent of HR leaders in India say lacking English proficiency creates a competitive disadvantage.

Ninety-eight per cent of HR leaders in India believe their organisation would be more efficient if better English assessments were used during hiring.

The report cited that 87 per cent of HR decision makers in India say AI integration increases the need for English proficiency.

“India’s talent base is playing an increasingly important role in global business and technology ecosystems,” said Ajay Pratap Singh, Regional Director, South Asia at ETS. “As organisations scale internationally and adopt new technologies, employers are placing greater emphasis on language readiness as part of workforce capability. The findings reinforce that companies are looking for clearer ways to evaluate English proficiency so they can build teams that are prepared for global collaboration and the evolving demands of the workplace,” he added.

Singh explained that the findings suggest a growing shift toward more formal evaluation of English proficiency in hiring and talent development, as Indian employers look to strengthen workforce capability, productivity and long- term competitiveness.

Globally, the TOEIC Global English Skills Report reflects a similar trend. Ninety per cent of employers say English proficiency is critical to organisational success, while 81 per cent report that the integration of AI tools is increasing the need for stronger workplace English skills.

“AI doesn’t close the skills gap. People do. What this research makes clear is that English is now a core workforce capability, not a soft skill. It is how employees collaborate across borders, how organisations unlock the value of AI, and how talent stays relevant in a rapidly changing economy. Companies that invest in English proficiency are investing directly in productivity, innovation, and global competitiveness,” said Ratnesh Jha, Global General Manager of Institutional Products at ETS.

(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by GPlus’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

Mumbai: Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), and Cheong Ming Foong, Consul-General of Singapore in Mumbai, met on Saturday. During the meeting, discussions were held on strengthening Singapore–MMRDA collaboration and accelerating follow-up on the Memoranda of Understanding signed at the World Economic Forum, Davos. 

The interaction covered progress on key Singapore partnerships, including Surbana Jurong and Sembcorp, and explored pathways for early translation of these engagements into implementable projects aligned with MMR’s industrial, logistics, and sustainable infrastructure priorities .

The Consul-General Cheong Ming Foong also noted,“keen interest of Singapore-based financial and institutional supporters who have extended FDI support to MoU partners, including Mapletree (Singapore), Ascendas Firstspace backed by CapitaLand Singapore, and JM Financial Singapore Pte. Ltd., who have expressed intent to evaluate and facilitate long-term investments in projects emerging under the MoUs.”

Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, IAS, Metropolitan Commissioner. MMRDA. apprised “MMRDA’s Land Disposal Policy has been approved by the Authority and the State Cabinet and, upon notification, will provide a transparent framework for land allocation under approved FDI norms. This will support timely project structuring and enable serious global partners, including Singapore institutions and companies, to progress from MoUs to on-ground investments,“ Said Mukherjee.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment to deepen Singapore–Maharashtra economic cooperation and to convert strategic engagements into tangible outcomes for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

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Mumbai: A social media post highlighting broken and exposed gutters along Juhu Tara Road has triggered fresh concerns over civic negligence, prompting a response from the civic authorities.

In a video shared on X by user Sachin Patankar, multiple damaged gutter covers can be seen along a stretch of what he claims is Juhu Tara Road. The footage shows at least four to five broken sections, posing a potential risk to pedestrians and motorists. In his caption, the user questioned why no action had been taken despite the visible hazard and asked who would be held accountable if an accident were to occur due to the damaged infrastructure.

Patankar further alleged that similar issues persist in Santa Cruz, where he resides. According to him, complaints regarding broken gutters and related civic problems have been raised for months without any visible resolution or response. He also questioned the utilisation of taxpayer money, stating that residents continue to face basic infrastructure failures despite fulfilling their civic obligations.

‘This is the situation of Juhu Tara Road. Why Bmc officer not take any action? If any accident happened, who is responsible? Why do we pay tax ? In my area, also Santacruz East same for the last 6 months follow-up, but still no action.’

Responding to the complaint, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation stated that it regretted the inconvenience caused and had alerted the concerned H/West ward (HE ward) officials to inspect and address the issue. The civic body assured that necessary action would be taken.

However, the user responded to the BMC by saying that he gets a reply every time and yet action has never been taken.

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Iraq Closes Airspace Following Israeli Strikes On Iran | X @JASmius

Dubai: Iraq’s Ministry of Transport said on Saturday that the country’s airspace has been closed following Israeli airstrikes on neighbouring Iran.

The ministry’s spokesman Mitham al-Safi told state-run Iraqi News Agency about the closure, noting that “the closure was preceded by the evacuation of all air traffic from Iraqi airspace.”

(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by GPlus’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

Karnataka’s Social Welfare Department inaugurated the state’s first government-run barber shop in Gadag district on February 26, weeks after a barber refused to cut the hair of a Dalit customer and others in the village followed suit by shutting their shops.

Residents said tensions had been simmering in Shingatalur village after the incident. The barbers, rather than backing down, justified their refusal. They claimed that since the deity Veerabhadreshwara Swamy visits the homes of the Hadapada community during Mahanavami every year, cutting the hair of Dalits during this period would bring misfortune upon them, the Indian Express reported

“Every year, the deity visits the homes of the Hadapada community, and the barbers claimed they could not serve Dalits during this period,” a government official said.

Local administration officials attempted to reason with the barbers, but warnings went unheeded. Authorities eventually issued a notice to the errant shop, which prompted other barbers in the area to down their shutters in solidarity, compounding the problem for Dalit residents who had nowhere to go.

Following petitions from affected residents, officials stepped in. The barber shop has been set up jointly by the Social Welfare Department, the Taluk administration, the Taluk panchayat, a body of Dalit organisations and the Shivasharana Hadapada Appanna community. Basavaraj Hadapada from neighbouring Tippapur village has been allotted the shop.

“The initiative has been taken under the untouchability eradication awareness and harmonious living programme to promote social harmony and ensure equal access to basic services,” a department source said.

The shop was formally opened in the presence of officials and villagers.

(With inputs from PTI)