'Your Govt Is...': Why Telegram's Sarcasm On X Might Be Hurting Its Own Case In India

Published 18 June 2026 · india

'Your Govt Is...': Why Telegram's Sarcasm On X Might Be Hurting Its Own Case In India Written By, Last Updated: June 18, 2026, 08:12 IST

'Your Govt Is...': Why Telegram's Sarcasm On X Might Be Hurting Its Own Case In India Written By, Last Updated: June 18, 2026, 08:12 IST The debate over Telegram's temporary NEET-related ban has taken an unexpected turn, with the platform's responses on X becoming a controversy of their own Rapid Read Telegram's responses on X have not helped its public perception in India. When the Centre first announced the temporary ban on Telegram, public reactions revolved around a familiar question: is it justified? The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s decision to restrict access to the messaging platform until June 22 ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination drew mixed reactions. Many students and parents welcomed the move as a necessary step against paper leak rackets that had allegedly flourished on the app. Others questioned whether the state was trying to deflect blame. Around 24 hours later, Telegram’s snarky responses on X have shifted attention further away from any meaningful debate. The most notable was its reply to Congress MP Karti Chidambaram in which Telegram’s official account flippantly suggested shutting down shopping malls because thefts occur inside them or closing roads because some people speed. You should also shut down all the shopping malls since there might be a theft in one of them. And close the roads because I heard someone was speeding.— Telegram Messenger (@telegram) June 16, 2026 The analogy perhaps intended to argue that platforms should not be blamed for the actions of individual users. Instead, it achieved something else: it turned the spotlight onto Telegram itself. The reaction was swift and critical. Social media users questioned whether the comparison trivialised a controversy involving lakhs of students whose futures were affected by allegations of examination fraud. Stop being a cry baby. You know that your platform has severe loopholes that have been misused by many people. Your platform is a hub of banking scams, fake online job scams, crypto scams, and many others. That’s why you are banned in many countries.— Jay (@jay_baaz) June 17, 2026 One user responded that malls are not allowed to become safe havens for organised theft and argued that platforms also carry responsibilities when illegal activity repeatedly occurs in plain sight. Another pointed out that while a theft affects individual victims, a paper leak can undermine a competitive examination taken by millions. Others accused Telegram of ignoring concerns about scam channels and fraudulent networks operating on the platform. But Telegram doubled down… Try harder.

Malls stop crimes when they are aware – so does Telegram. No matter how actively anyone polices, misuse happens. pic.twitter.com/2XW5Cg7y5W— Telegram Messenger (@telegram) June 16, 2026 … and then some. wasn’t on mine either— Telegram Messenger (@telegram) June 16, 2026 By Wednesday evening, the messaging app turned up the trolling, making further exaggerated comparisons. “Your government is also considering banning solid food, as it presents a needless choking hazard," it said. The post didn’t specify which country’s government it was talking about, but it didn’t need to. Over 300,000 people die of drowning each year. In order to protect society, it is now illegal to consume or possess water.Your government is also considering banning solid food, as it presents a needless choking hazard.You are not an adult.You are a baby.Eat the baby food. Telegram Messenger (@telegram) June 17, 2026 As Indian X users took fresh offence to its tone, Telegram responded with this my mentions right now: pic.twitter.com/URxMajOvLL— Telegram Messenger (@telegram) June 17, 2026 When users suggested that its confrontational posts may end up inviting a permanent ban, Telegram pitched the issue as one of protecting civil liberties and preventing a slide “toward authoritarian evil". The people in charge who would wrongfully restrict platforms because it’s easier than actually fixing things— Telegram Messenger (@telegram) June 17, 2026 Like the millions banned every day, most before they can even really start? We can do “whatabouttery" *and* responsibility Telegram Messenger (@telegram) June 17, 2026 Accepting small injustice because it could be worse is a slide toward authoritarian evil— Telegram Messenger (@telegram) June 17, 2026 To be sure, Telegram was not without supporters. Several users argued that examination leaks originate within institutions and systems, not messaging apps. Others described the restriction as a distraction from the need to identify and punish those responsible for the leaks. But by choosing to engage through exaggerated analogies and snarky replies on social media, Telegram has shifted the discussion away from legitimate questions about the government’s logic and towards the tone of its own response. Why Telegram’s Responses Stand Out From Other Tech Giants That is not typically how large technology companies handle disputes with governments. Over the years, global tech giants operating in India have frequently challenged government directives, but usually through courts, regulatory processes or formal public statements. WhatsApp challenged India’s traceability requirements in court, arguing that they would undermine end-to-end encryption. X, formerly Twitter, has publicly disagreed with certain content-blocking orders while complying with them in India.