Khaira slams AAP govt over Facebook suspension, flags threat to free speech

Bholath MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has sharply criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for allegedly orchestrating the removal of his videos and suspension of his verified Facebook account, terming it a blatant misuse of state machinery to muzzle dissent.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, Khaira revealed that Facebook informed him his videos had been made unavailable in India “because of a legal request from Punjab Law Enforcement.” He described the move as “shocking and undemocratic,” alleging that it reflects the Mann government’s growing intolerance toward opposition voices and criticism of its failures.

Khaira accused the Punjab Police of acting under political pressure, claiming the episode exposes the government’s insecurity and its drift towards authoritarianism. “The Bhagwant Mann government, acting under the dictatorial direction of Arvind Kejriwal, has turned Punjab into a virtual police state where no space is left for dissent or opposition,” he said, adding that the removal of his content “is an alarming sign of democratic decay.”

Asserting that the action constitutes a direct assault on the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression enshrined in the Constitution, Khaira urged Facebook to immediately restore his account and deleted posts.

He warned that yielding to politically motivated censorship not only damages the platform’s credibility but also undermines democratic values and public trust. Khaira appealed to all democratic forces, civil society groups, and media organizations to unite against what he described as “authoritarian tactics being used to stifle the voice of opposition in Punjab.” Emphasising that he speaks for the people of Punjab, Khaira declared that no government can suppress the truth through intimidation or digital censorship. “My voice represents the people and it cannot be silenced,” he asserted.