India

India's Information and Broadcasting Ministry invoked emergency powers on 21 January under Rule 16 of the Information Technology Rules 2021 to force social media companies to remove clips of a BBC documentary that examines Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role in the 2002 riots in Gujarat state. University authorities reportedly attempted to prevent public screenings of the documentary at several universities, by banning gatherings, electrical outages and in some instances detaining students. Activists and oppositions argue the reaction to the documentary, which the BBC had not planned to air in India, is part of a trend of increased censorship in the country.

Freedom of Expression Censorship Freedom of Association and Assembly Digital democracy

The independent news channel New Delhi Television, or NDTV, has been bought by Gautam Adani, a billionaire, sparking media concentration concerns. Analysts have expressed concern that the takeover will compromise NDTV's editorial independence, which stands in sharp contrast to other mainstream news channels that allegedly have strong ties to the government. A similar move was observed in 2014 with another billionaire acquiring Network18, one of India's largest media companies. Experts indicate that the move marks a worrying blow for independent media in India.

Media concentration

India's Supreme Court announced on 13 October a split decision on allowing hijabs to be worn in classrooms and has referred the case to the Chief Justice. The verdict extends a 10-month-long polarizing debate, which critics allege is the latest case of authorities trying to marginalize Muslims under the state's Hindu extremist policies. Muslim women have protested that the ban goes against their freedom of expression and religion and access to education. Women protesting the ban have faced violence from counter-protesting young men wearing saffron shawls and waving orange flags, emblematic of Hindu nationalist groups. 

Freedom of Expression Gender Equality Freedom of Religion Education

India's Supreme Court ruled on 29 September that all women, regardless of marital status, may obtain an abortion up to 24 weeks into their pregnancies. The law previously only allowed married persons to terminate pregnancies up until 24 weeks, with single women limited to 20 weeks. Reproductive rights activists have hailed the move as a positive step toward expanding women's right to safe and legal abortions in a non-discriminatory way. 

Gender Equality