‘Savala Vada’ Instagram page withheld in India.
The Instagram page “Savala Vada,” which has amassed around 85,000 followers, has been withheld in India. The page is reportedly run by a 22-year-old content creator and his team based in Kerala. Known for its satirical takes and humorous commentary on politics and society, the account had gained a considerable following among young Indians. Supporters claim the move raises concerns over freedom of expression and censorship in the digital space. Meanwhile, calls for transparency and clarity over the action have grown, as users await an official statement from authorities or Instagram.
The Instagram account of the satirical page The Savala Vada, widely recognized for its quirky and humorous takes on governments and political affairs, has been withheld in India. The move has sparked conversations about censorship and the state of free expression in the country.
With a follower base of over 85,000, the page is reportedly managed by a 22-year-old creator and his team from Kerala. Known for posting sharp, witty satire on current affairs, the page had gained significant popularity among the youth for its fearless content. It was launched on July 21, 2023, by an individual known only as “J” and draws heavy inspiration from The Onion, a U.S.-based digital media company famous for its satirical coverage of domestic and international news.
Reacting to the restriction, The Savala Vada took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Sup we just got banned from the world’s largest democracy,” adding hashtags like #MotherOfDemocracy, #NotSatire, and #SavalaVadaFried. Their Instagram page currently displays the message: “Account withheld in India. This is because we complied with the legal request to restrict this content.”
Doubling down with sarcasm, the page quipped that the central government seems to have its priorities right—by targeting a satirical Instagram account.
The ban has led to growing calls for transparency from both Instagram and government authorities, with critics voicing concerns over increasing online censorship and the narrowing space for dissent and satire in India’s digital landscape.