Bengaluru, Aug. 18 -- Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday accused the Central government of launching its "most brazen and calculated attack" on free speech, claiming that the government sent 1.95 lakh blocking orders to social media firms between March and July 2026.

Sharing an infographic, Kharge wrote on X, "Modi Govt has launched its most brazen and calculated attack on the democratic right of every Indian to speak, to question and to dissent. It's Social Media Censorship is as condemnable as the lathicharge & pellet guns they used on our youth!"

According to Kharge, the Centre has issued approximately 1,95,000 blocking orders were issued in 5 months.

"What we are seeing today is only the tip of the iceberg. 1.95 lakh ...