CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Delhi: New Delhi. The Delhi High Court has sought responses from the Centre and Meta Platforms in the matter of the ‘Bring Back Ballot’ account being restricted in India on the social media platform Instagram. The account was running a campaign demanding voting through ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in elections. Issuing notice in the matter, the court fixed the next hearing for November 6, 2026.

A bench of Justice Amit Mahajan issued the notice on October 27 on a petition filed by the organisation Mission Save Constitution and its founder, advocate Mahmood Pracha. According to the petitioners, their Instagram account became unavailable in India on October 10. On the same day, the organisation had held a peaceful demonstration at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar with the slogan, “Bring Back Ballot – remove EVMs, save the country.”

The petition claims the account had more than 50,000 followers and was used to share posts, videos and awareness material in favour of the return of ballot papers. The petitioners allege that before the entire account was blocked, they were not given any notice, nor were they provided a copy of the blocking order or clear reasons for the restriction.

The petition describes the action as a violation of rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. The petitioners say the demand for a change in the electoral system is part of democratic debate and freedom of expression. They also questioned why it was considered necessary to restrict the entire account instead of any specific post.

The court has asked the Centre and Meta to place their stand in the matter. For now, there has been no final decision on the validity of the restriction, and the allegations made in the petition are yet to be judicially considered. The responses of the government and the company will be significant at the next hearing.

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