In a move that has ignited debates about censorship and freedom of expression in India, the popular Instagram satire account The Savala Vada, known for its irreverent political humor and mock-news memes, has been withheld in India, reported the Maktoob Media.
The account, boasting nearly 85,000 followers, is managed by a 22-year-old Kerala-based creator along with a team of university students. It was known for mimicking newspaper layouts to lampoon current affairs, often poking fun at the ruling establishment through sharp sarcasm and dark humor.
“Sup we just got banned from the world’s largest democracy,” read a post on their X (formerly Twitter) handle, using hashtags like #MotherOfDemocracy, #NotSatire, and #SavalaVadaFried.
Users attempting to view the page were met with a message saying: “Account withheld in India. This is because we complied with the legal request to restrict this content.”
Responding to the ban via their backup handle, the team mockingly stated:
“The Republic of India has finally vanquished Public Enemy #1: a meme page run out of a hostel dorm… Surely, a government so petty has the best interests of the nation at heart.”
They listed ongoing issues such as constitutional concerns, civil unrest, flooding in Assam, caste atrocities, and food insecurity, sarcastically highlighting how taking down a meme page appears to be the government’s top priority.
“If the government can find time to tell a social media company to take down a meme page, it surely has its priorities in order,” they said.
In a biting remark aimed at Hindutva ideology, the team added:
“If oil cannot be poured into the ears of those reading the Vedas, at least one can restrict accounts that talk about these sacred texts.”
The team directly challenged the government, demanding transparency:
“Tell us which joke you didn’t like… The least we should have is knowing which one of our comedic forays struck a nerve at the Ministry of Unfunny.”
They continued,
“Tell us when was the last time you laughed? (No, anti-Muslim riots do not count),” and mockingly asked, “Do you have a job posting in your beloved parents’ organisation of the Short Khaki Pants brigade?”—a clear jibe at the RSS.
Launched on July 21, 2023, by the creator known as “J”, The Savala Vada drew inspiration from US-based The Onion and was born out of frustration with what the founder described as a “propaganda-driven media climate” in India. The page quickly gained traction among youth for its unapologetic takes on Modi-led government policies, media complicity, and systemic injustices.
The takedown of The Savala Vada adds to a growing list of social media accounts and independent voices facing restrictions, raising concerns about shrinking space for dissent in the world’s largest democracy.
