Days after blocking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Twitter account, the social media platform on Thursday blocked the official handle of the party as also those of some more top leaders, including that of media cell head Randeep Surjewala.

Commenting on the development, social media head of the party Rohan Gupta told ANI, “Twitter is acting under government pressure. It has already blocked 5000 accounts of our leaders and workers across India. They need to understand we can’t be pressured by Twitter or the government.”

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The party’s Instagram post on Thursday contained a screenshot of the Congress’ account and a message from Twitter that said it had been locked.  “Modiji, just how afraid are you? Reminder: The Congress party fought for our nation’s independence, equipped only with truth, non-violence & the will of the people. We won then, we’ll win again,” the Congress said.

Rahul Gandhi’s account was temporarily blocked after he tweeted pictures with the family of a nine-year-old victim of alleged rape and murder in Delhi last week.  His tweet was retweeted by many party leaders. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) took note of Gandhi’s tweet and directed Twitter to act against the account for violating the privacy of a minor victim, mandated by the laws of the land.

 Among the accounts blocked are that of AICC general secretary and former minister Ajay Maken, party’s whip in Lok Sabha Manickam Tagore, Assam in-charge and former Union minister Jitendra Singh and Mahila Congress president Sushmita Dev, the party said.

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“So! After Shri @RahulGandhi, the Lord @narendramodi Ji and Vassal @Jack & @twitter have locked @rssurjewala, @ajaymaken & @sushmitadevinc. @INCIndia registers its protest and promises to continue the fight for each and all being wronged! We shall hold on @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji,” tweeted the party’s Communication Department.

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“The list goes on. @Twitter locks @JitendraSAlwar and @manickamtagore and many more. Doesn’t Modi Ji understand that we @INCindia’ns have a legacy of fighting even from behind the locks of kaala paani,” it said. “He thinks the virtual locks of Twitter will deter us from fighting for India.”

The Congress has accused Twitter of acting against Gandhi’s account under pressure from the government.