Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has taken legal action against the Indian government, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration of increasing censorship and controlling digital content. The lawsuit, filed in the Karnataka High Court, challenges a government-backed content moderation system called Sahyog, which X claims allows authorities to remove posts without due process.

X argues that the Indian government is misusing censorship laws by bypassing established legal procedures. The company says Sahyog gives officials excessive power to delete posts arbitrarily, limiting free speech and silencing criticism.

X Opposes Sahyog, Calls It a Tool for Censorship

The lawsuit focuses on Sahyog, a new government-run platform that allows officials to request content takedowns directly from social media companies. X claims this system violates India’s existing technology laws by eliminating judicial oversight and giving officials unchecked authority.

Unlike traditional content removal requests, which go through the courts or law enforcement agencies, Sahyog lets thousands of government officials—including local police—order post removals without proper justification. X has refused to join the platform, arguing that it is designed to suppress free expression and erase lawful content.

The case escalated after India’s railway ministry used Sahyog to demand the removal of hundreds of posts. These included footage of a tragic crowd crush in Delhi during a major religious festival, which resulted in 18 deaths. X argues that the Indian government is using vague legal clauses to justify censorship, preventing open discussions on critical events.

India Defends Sahyog as Necessary for Online Safety

The Indian government insists that Sahyog is necessary to combat harmful and illegal content online. Officials argue that the system is essential for managing misinformation, preventing communal violence, and stopping the spread of false narratives.

In response to X’s claims, India has defended its approach, saying it ensures faster response times to fake news, hate speech, and national security threats. Government representatives maintain that X’s refusal to comply with Indian digital laws makes it a platform that does not respect local regulations.

X’s Troubled Relationship with India

This lawsuit is not the first legal battle between X and Indian authorities. The company has been at odds with the government since before Musk’s acquisition.

• 2021: Delhi police raided X’s offices after the platform labeled a ruling party spokesperson’s tweet as “manipulated media.” The tweet contained misleading information about an election-related controversy.
• 2022: X filed a lawsuit against India’s blocking orders, arguing that the government was overstepping its legal powers. However, the company lost the case and was fined 5 million rupees for non-compliance.
• 2023: Under Musk’s leadership, X appealed the ruling, continuing its legal fight against Indian digital censorship laws.

The Indian government has criticized X as “repeatedly non-compliant” with its digital regulations. Authorities also began investigating X’s AI chatbot, Grok, after it made politically sensitive remarks in response to user prompts.

Musk’s Expanding Business Interests in India

This legal dispute comes as Musk’s other ventures—Tesla and Starlink—are expanding in India. Some analysts suggest that Musk is balancing business growth in the country with his stance on free speech.

In March 2024, Starlink partnered with Indian telecom companies to introduce satellite internet. The company is now awaiting regulatory approval to begin operations. Meanwhile, Tesla has been actively hiring staff in Delhi and Mumbai while scouting locations for new showrooms.

Musk’s growing business ties with India have raised questions about his willingness to challenge the government while simultaneously seeking regulatory approvals. In June 2023, Musk met with Prime Minister Modi during the Indian leader’s visit to Washington. Following the meeting, Musk praised India as a promising market for electric vehicles and space technology.

Balancing Business with Legal Challenges

A Washington-based political expert commented that Musk’s influence is unique due to his business interests in both the United States and India. He suggested that Musk is willing to take legal risks because of his strong negotiating power in the tech and automotive industries.

Despite the legal tensions, experts believe that Musk’s ventures in India are unlikely to face serious retaliation. India sees Tesla and Starlink as key players in its technological and industrial growth.

However, the ongoing lawsuit could set a legal precedent for how India regulates digital platforms in the future. If X wins, it could challenge the government’s ability to control online speech. If the government prevails, social media companies may have to comply with stricter censorship rules to continue operating in the country.

As the case unfolds, it remains to be seen how India will balance its push for digital regulation with global pressure for online freedom.