Swara Bhasker, the outspoken Indian actress known for her political activism, has found herself embroiled in controversy after her X account was permanently suspended over alleged copyright infringement. The actress took to Instagram to voice her frustrations, stating her displeasure with the social media platform's handling of the situation.
According to Bhasker, the suspension was triggered by two specific tweets. One tweet, which had garnered attention as a Republic Day greeting, was flagged for violating copyright laws. The actress shared the screenshots of the notifications she received explaining the reasons for her suspension. “(You can’t make this stuff up!!!!) Dear X, Two images from two tweets have been marked as ‘copyright infringements.’ Basis which my X account is locked/disabled, I can’t access it and permanent suspension has been approved by your teams,” she wrote, reflecting her disbelief at the decision.
She elaborated on the posts under scrutiny, pointing out the nature of the claims against them. The first tweet featured text in Hindi Devnagri script with the phrase “Gandhi Hum Sharmindaa hain, Tere qaatil zinda hain,” echoing the sentiments of India's progressive movement. Bhasker asserted, “There is no copyright violation. It is akin to urban modern folk idiom.” She challenged the legitimacy of the copyright claim, highlighting its cultural significance rather than ownership.
Even more perplexing for the actress was the second tweet, which included an image of her young daughter, whose face was concealed, enthusiastically waving the Indian flag with the text “HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY India.” Bhasker questioned, “How can this possibly be a copyright infringement? Who has a copyright on my child’s likeness?” She argues the reasoning behind marking the post as violating copyright is absurd and reflects poorly on the platform's ability to evaluate its reports objectively.
Bhasker strongly believes the mass reporting of her tweets is part of a coordinated effort to harass her and stifle her freedom of expression. “If these tweets have been mass reported, they are aimed to harass the user, i.e., myself, and are aimed at suppressing my freedom of speech and expression. Kindly review and reverse your decision. Thanks, Swara Bhaskar,” she added, underscoring her commitment to standing against perceived injustices.
Swara Bhasker’s political engagement has been unwavering through her social media presence, where she has often shared her opinions on pressing social issues. While she has had fewer acting roles recently, with her last appearance being the 2022 film Mimamsa, she has continued to make headlines for her activism. The actress married activist and politician Fahad Ahmad in 2023 and celebrated the birth of their daughter, Raabiya, the same year.
This situation highlights broader concerns about content moderation on social media platforms, especially for users who engage actively with political discourse. Bhasker’s case raises important questions about what constitutes copyright infringement and the responsibilities of social media companies to their users. It also reflects the growing tensions between creative expression and the often ambiguous rules governing online conduct.
Despite the unsettling turn of events, Bhasker has not been silent, continuing to use other platforms to voice her opinions and fight for her rights. Her supporters have rallied around her, encouraging her to challenge the decision and actively engage with the public about the importance of free expression online.
For now, the actress awaits the review of her suspension, with hopes of regaining access to her account and the freedom to express her views without fear of retribution. Swara Bhasker emphasizes the significance of her critics knowing they do not have the power to silence her voice, regardless of attempts made to curb her social media activity.