Govt faces backlash over social media takedown after New Delhi stampede

In the aftermath of the tragic stampede at New Delhi railway station on 15 February, which officially claimed 18 lives and left dozens injured, the Union railway ministry has reportedly instructed social media platform X to remove 285 links containing videos of the incident.

The ministry justified the takedown by citing "ethical norms" and the need to prevent panic. However, critics argue that the government is more focused on controlling its image than ensuring transparency and accountability.

According to a report by the Hindustan Times, the directive was issued on 17 February, giving X a 36-hour deadline to remove the flagged content. The ministry’s notice claimed that the videos violated the platform’s content policies and had the potential to create "an unwarranted law and order situation."

Additionally, officials expressed concern that the footage could disrupt Indian Railways' operations during a period of high passenger traffic, presumably thanks to the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.

Opposition slams government’s approach

The government’s decision has sparked strong criticism from Opposition leaders, who see it as part of a larger trend of suppressing inconvenient information instead of addressing systemic problems.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj condemned the move, calling it a "very dangerous precedent".

"After failing to cover up the stampede, now the central government’s Railways ministry wants X to remove all videos of the station. This sets a dangerous precedent," Bharadwaj said in an X post.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghosh labelled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration a "3D government" — one that engages in "denial, distraction, and disinformation".

"First, @RailMinIndia dismissed reports of the #NewDelhiStampede as ‘rumors.’ Then, they downplayed the death toll. Now, they want videos of the stampede removed," Ghosh, too, posted on X.

Congress spokesperson Dr Shama Mohamed directly criticised Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, accusing him of prioritising his public image over addressing the crisis. "Shame on you, Ashwini Vaishnaw! You must resign," she demanded.

Congress leader Saral Patel echoed these concerns, pointing to a series of railway accidents under Vaishnaw’s tenure. "Instead of taking responsibility, he is more concerned about his image," Patel said.

Anish Gawande of the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) compared the takedown directive to past government attempts to suppress information during the Covid-19 pandemic, the migrant worker crisis, and the aftermath of demonetisation. "Do all this," he remarked. "But the truth will always come out."

Growing concerns over railway safety

The New Delhi stampede has reignited concerns about overcrowding, mismanagement, and inadequate emergency preparedness at one of India’s busiest transportation hubs. With millions of passengers relying on the railway network daily, calls for comprehensive reforms and greater accountability are growing louder.

While the government defends its actions as a measure to maintain order, critics insist that addressing the root causes of such tragedies should take precedence over controlling the narrative. The incident serves as yet another reminder of the urgent need for systemic improvements in India’s railway infrastructure.