Kerala-based writer and human rights activist Baburaj Bhagavathy’s Facebook account has been restricted in India following a request by Kerala law enforcement authorities. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, enforced the restriction citing local law compliance. The move has sparked criticism and concerns over growing political censorship in the state.
Baburaj Bhagavathy is widely recognized for his research and advocacy against Islamophobia and anti-Muslim repression. He was instrumental in forming the Islamophobia Research Collective and co-authored the Kerala Islamophobia Report 2024 with Dr. K. Ashraf.
Solidarity Youth Movement Kerala condemned the move, with its state president Thoufeekh Mampad stating that silencing voices like Bhagavathy’s is part of a larger pattern of suppressing those who challenge communalism and state injustice.
Bhagavathy, who has served on the editorial board of Maruvakku magazine and contributed to Thejas Daily, has consistently used his platform to speak out against the rising tide of casteism, Islamophobia, and the misuse of state power in Kerala. His Facebook posts were known for critically examining how minority communities, particularly Muslims, are increasingly targeted under the pretext of law and order.
Critics argue that this censorship contradicts Kerala’s image as a progressive and secular state, exposing an alarming trend of intolerance toward dissenting voices. Activists say the action not only gags an outspoken writer but also highlights how digital spaces are being monitored and manipulated to curb resistance against anti-minority narratives.
