‘Attack on democracy’: Akhilesh Yadav’s Facebook account suspended, SP accuses BJP

Akhilesh Yadav

The Samajwadi Party (SP) on Friday said that party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s Facebook account has been suspended -- launching an attack at the ruling BJP for suppressing the Opposition’s voice.

Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Fakhrul Hasan Chaand shared a post on X, stating that the suspension of Yadav's account is an attack on democracy.

"The suspension of the Facebook account of the respected national president of the country's third largest party, Shri Akhilesh Yadav ji, is an attack on democracy. The BJP government has imposed an undeclared emergency in the country, where it wants to suppress every voice raised in opposition," Chaand said in a post.

"However, the Samajwadi Party will continue to oppose the anti-people policies of the BJP. @yadavakhilesh," he added.

Separately, Chaand also stated that the party will explore legal options if the account is not restored.

According to sources cited by CNN-News18, Facebook blocked Yadav’s account over posting violent and sexual content. The account, which had over eight million followers, was reportedly suspended around 6 pm on Friday.

National secretary of Samajwadi Party, Rajeev Rai, also reacted to the suspension, saying it's a blow to India's democratic system.

"Blocking the account of the leader of the third largest party in the country's parliament, the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Honorable Shri @yadavakhilesh ji, by FACEBOOK is not only condemnable but also a blow to India's democratic system," Rai's X post read.

Rai also said that if the BJP has done this, then it's a "mistake".

"If this has been done at the behest of the ruling party, it is a sign of cowardice. Trying to suppress the voice of socialists is a mistake. @facebook @samajwadiparty," Rai added.

Samajwadi Party's MLA from Lucknow North Pooja Shukla called out Facebook for suspending Akhilesh Yadav's account without any warning or notice.

"Facebook has dared to cross its limits -- it has suspended the official page of Akhilesh Yadav ji (@yadavakhilesh) without any warning or notice. This is not an ordinary account -- this is Akhilesh Yadav ji , the voice of millions! Facebook must remember its boundaries -- it cannot silence democracy. Samajwadis, it's time to bring Facebook to its senses! Such arrogance will not be tolerated," Shukla said.