I am Manoj Das, founder of the Sadaqat Welfare Foundation, working with Dalit, Adivasi, minority, and migrant communities across India.

On 5 March 2025, LinkedIn restored my account after a restriction, assuring me that future action would only follow another violation.

Yet, just 6 days later on 11 March, without any activity from me, LinkedIn permanently restricted my account, erasing 5 years of work, 36,000+ followers, and my NGO’s lifeline for funding and advocacy.

For 7 months, I sought answers.

Instead, LinkedIn gave shifting excuses: 👉 “Suspicious activity” → later admitted false 👉 “Misrepresentation” → disproved with Aadhaar, PAN & affidavit 👉 Now: a vague “policy violation” — with no proof

On 19 March, LinkedIn even blocked my primary email ID, cutting off my right to appeal.

This isn’t accountability. This is deliberate silencing.

A Global Pattern of Silencing

This is not just my story. Around the world:

Palestinian activists lose accounts for speaking about Gaza.

Climate campaigners in Sweden are de-platformed.

Social workers worldwide are erased for dissent.

Independent Indian media are silenced for questioning those in power.

I have spoken about Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, minority rights in India, and injustices faced by marginalized groups. Now LinkedIn hides behind “privacy” instead of giving real reasons, because once named, their actions can be challenged.

By refusing transparency, LinkedIn shields its own unlawful actions.

Violating Law & Commitments
Indian IT Rules 2021 (Rule 3A):

Platforms must give specific reasons for restrictions.Grievance Officers must reply within 15 days.

Santa Clara Principles (which LinkedIn signed):

Tell users the exact reason for restriction. Provide a fair appeal.

Yet, despite 2,000+ emails and appeals, LinkedIn has not given me a valid response. Even India’s Grievance Appellate Committee cannot act, because LinkedIn refuses to cooperate.

This is a violation of Indian law and LinkedIn’s own commitments.

The Human Cost

Because of LinkedIn’s arbitrary silencing:

• My NGO collapsed, leaving vulnerable communities unsupported.
• My family is drowning in debt; my mother’s treatment stopped.
• I fell into depression and even began a hunger strike, risking my health.

👉 This is the real cost of digital exclusion: when livelihoods and voices are erased without due process.

Why This Matters?

This is bigger than my account.

It is about whether Article 19 rights to free speech and livelihood can be trampled by Big Tech.

If they can silence me today, tomorrow it could be any activist, journalist, or professional in India.

What We Demand?

• Restore my account immediately OR provide a clear, specific explanation of the alleged violation in between 5th March to 11th March.
• Comply with Indian IT Rules 2021. Answer grievances and GAC queries in time.
• Respect citizens’ rights -  stop treating free expression and advocacy as crimes.

Why Sign?

By signing, you are:

👉 Defending Article 19 - free speech & livelihood.

👉 Demanding accountability - LinkedIn/Microsoft must obey Indian law.

👉 Standing for activists, professionals & NGOs worldwide silenced for truth.

This is not about one NGO or one account. It is about protecting dissent, justice, and Indian voices from arbitrary erasure by foreign corporations.

✊ Please sign and share widely. Together, let’s remind Microsoft and LinkedIn: India’s laws must be respected. Indian voices cannot be silenced.

Regards,

Manoj Kumar Das manojdasuniverse@gmail.com