Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter) is set to escalate its legal showdown with the Indian government by filing an appeal against a recent Karnataka High Court ruling upholding the controversial Sahyog portal—a centralized system for issuing content takedown orders. On September 28, 2025, X expressed “deep concern” over the court’s decision, vowing to “defend free expression” in higher courts, potentially the Supreme Court. The portal, launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2024, allows thousands of officials—from central ministries to local police—to flag “unlawful” content for removal under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, bypassing traditional judicial oversight.
This move reignites a long-simmering feud between X and New Delhi, rooted in accusations of arbitrary censorship and misuse of laws to stifle dissent. With X refusing to appoint a nodal officer for Sahyog—unlike peers like Google and Meta—the case could test India’s digital regulations amid Musk’s broader ambitions in the country, including Tesla and Starlink entries. For free speech advocates, tech investors, and policymakers, the appeal spotlights the tension between national security and online rights in a nation of 900 million internet users. Let’s unpack the lawsuit, the portal’s role, and potential outcomes.
The Lawsuit Timeline: From March Filing to September Setback
X first sued in March 2025 at the Karnataka High Court, challenging the government’s use of Section 79(3)(b) as a “parallel censorship regime” that evades Section 69A’s procedural safeguards, like hearings and reviews. The petition specifically targeted Sahyog as a “censorship portal,” arguing it empowers “millions” of officials to issue opaque takedown notices without accountability, violating Supreme Court precedents on free speech.
Key milestones:
| Date/Event | Details |
|---|---|
| October 2024 | MHA directs X to appoint nodal officer for Sahyog; X refuses, citing overreach. |
| March 2025 | X files suit in Karnataka HC, seeking interim protection against coercive action. |
| September 2025 | HC dismisses plea as “without merit”; X announces appeal. |
| Upcoming | Appeal to Supreme Court; hearing expected in October. |
X claims Sahyog has led to a “wholesale increase in censorship,” with over 70% of notices from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). The government counters that it’s a coordination tool for “unlawful content” notifications, not formal blocks, and no action has been taken against X for non-compliance.
Sahyog Portal: Collaboration or Censorship Tool?
Launched in 2024 by I4C under MHA, Sahyog (“cooperation” in Hindi) streamlines takedown requests under Section 79(3)(b), allowing 65+ intermediaries and nodal officers from all states/UTs to flag content like hate speech or misinformation. While Google, Amazon, and Meta onboarded, X’s boycott stems from fears of unchecked power—thousands of officials issuing orders without judicial review.
Digital rights group Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) backs X, calling it a “vital” fight against expanded censorship. Critics like Apar Gupta of IFF argue it burdens platforms with policing billions of posts daily. The government insists it’s essential for tackling “harmful content” amid rising cybercrimes.
This echoes past clashes: X’s 2022 suit against blocking orders (e.g., farmer protests) and 2021 Delhi police raid over “manipulated media.”
Broader Context: Musk vs. Modi Amid Business Ambitions
The timing is ironic: Musk met PM Narendra Modi in February 2025, discussing Tesla factories and Starlink approvals, yet X’s suit persists. Analysts see it as Musk’s free speech stance clashing with India’s content rules, potentially complicating his $100 billion India entry. X’s Grok AI also faces scrutiny for IT Act compliance.
Implications:
- For X: A win could curb takedowns; loss reinforces compliance pressures.
- Digital Rights: Sets precedent for Section 79 vs. 69A; IFF warns of “arbitrary” removals.
- India’s Tech Scene: Balances security with openness, amid 900M users.
Conclusion: X’s Appeal – A High-Stakes Free Speech Gambit
X’s plan to file against the government’s Sahyog portal is a bold stand for expression, challenging what it calls “unlawful regulation” in India’s courts. As the appeal unfolds, it pits Musk’s ideals against Modi’s controls, with ripple effects for global platforms. In a democracy’s digital frontier, the outcome could redefine online freedoms—or entrench state oversight. NDTV
