Twitter Inc. has unblocked the accounts of angry farmers in India demonstrating legislation they say will hurt their livelihoods.
The decision followed condemnation from users and supporters of the farmers.
The company said it told the India government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi its earlier blocking of 250 accounts belonging to the farmers was inconsistent with free speech. The restrictions applied in India only, Twitter said. The government there requested the intervention.
The blocked accounts included Kisan Ekta Morcha, or the Farmers' Unity Front, as well as MD Salim, Tractor to Twitter and MD Salim. Many Twitter users support the protesting farmers.
This past weekend protesting farmers held a hunger strike against agriculture laws passed in September.
The farmers want the government to repeal three laws they say were largely in favor of big farming companies while small producers like themselves will be sacrificed.
In the past week a tractor parade in the capital resulted in one death. Thousands of farmers stormed the area and clashed with authorities. Local news media later reported that hundreds were injured.
Last week also saw the blockage of the northern state of Haryana's mobile internet connections. Most of the districts reported no access. The state government confirmed the blockage.
Some journalists have been charged with sedition over reports about last week's clashes.
