Why did Modi Govt direct YouTube to take down National Dastak?

The online news outlet National Dastak, which has a significant following of around 9.41 million subscribers on YouTube, announced this Monday that the central government has requested the deletion of their channel from YouTube, which Google operates.

Government requests deletion of channel

In a post on X, the news portal lamented, “The government wants to shut down National Dastak.” It further disclosed that YouTube issued a notice on April 3, affecting not only National Dastak but also Article 19, while the model code of conduct remains in effect.

नेशनल दस्तक को बंद करवाना चाहती है सरकार।। 3 अप्रैल को यूट्यूब ने नोटिस भेजा था।। आर्टिकल 19 को भी नोटिस है। ।।आचार संहिता में ये सब हो रहा है।। लाखों अखबार टीवी न्यूज चैनल चल रहे। बहुजनों के नेशनल दस्तक से इतना डर। pic.twitter.com/HdSP4X0ejb

— National Dastak (@NationalDastak) April 8, 2024

National Dastak identifies itself as a champion for Dalits, Adivasis, farmers, women, and oppressed individuals. Despite the government’s move, the news portal’s YouTube channel remained operational as of Tuesday afternoon.

Expressing its dismay, National Dastak questioned why the Union government is targeting a news portal for Dalits while permitting countless newspapers and television channels to operate freely. No explanation has been provided by either the Centre or YouTube regarding the action taken against the news portal.

YouTube, in an email communication to National Dastak, cited a notice from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, invoking Rule 15 (2) of the Information Technology Rules, 2021, in conjunction with Section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000.

27 Feb को @Article19_India का फ़ेसबुक पेज रेस्ट्रिक्ट कर दिया गया।किसी ने इसपर कोई आवाज़ नहीं उठाई।हम ये लड़ाई अकेले लड़ रहे है।फिर भी हम कहते है कि @BoltaHindustan के यूट्यूब चैनल को बंद करना सीधे-सीधे अभिव्यक्ति का गला घोंटना है।इसका हर क़ीमत पर मुक़ाबला करना होगा।साथ आना होगा। pic.twitter.com/0hyxAhAN1T

— Navin Kumar (@navinjournalist) April 4, 2024

Facebook restricted Article 19 channel

Journalist Navin Kumar, operating the Article 19 YouTube channel, disclosed on April 4 that Facebook had restricted the channel’s page.

This action follows closely after Bolta Hindustan, another news portal, had its YouTube channel removed by Google-owned platform on April 4, as per directives from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.