India’s Parliament has erupted in protests as opposition lawmakers accuse the government of using military-grade spyware to monitor political opponents, journalists and activists.

In a massive Cabinet revamp, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has dropped 12 senior ministers and inducted a younger team aimed at refurbishing his government’s image after widespread criticism of its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The standoff between the Indian government and Twitter has escalated after the country’s technology minister accused the social media giant of deliberately not complying with local laws.

India's Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, addresses a press conference in New Delhi, India, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. India on Thursday rolled out new regulations for social media companies and digital streaming websites to make them more accountable for the online content shared on their platforms, giving the government more power to police it. The Information Technology Ministry said the new regulations would require social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to swiftly erase content authorities deem unlawful. The new rules also require social media platforms to appoint what the government calls chief compliance and grievance officers to handle complaints from law enforcement agencies. Twitter’s actions appeared to irk Modi’s government, which over the years has sought to tighten its grip over social media, particularly Twitter and Facebook.

Critics say the government has used the massive demonstrations to escalate a crackdown on free speech, detaining journalists and freezing Twitter accounts. Hundreds of Indian Twitter accounts, including those of news websites, activists and a farmers union, were suspended on Monday. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)NEW DELHI – India’s top court on Friday asked for the government and Twitter’s response to a petition seeking greater regulation of content on social media platforms amid a debate over free speech. Critics have accused the Modi government of using the massive demonstrations to escalate a crackdown on free speech and silence opponents. “We are exploring options under Indian law — both for Twitter and for the accounts that have been impacted.

NEW DELHI Facebook India executives were grilled Wednesday by members of a parliamentary committee on information technology over allegations of political bias and a role in spreading hate speech in India. As usage has spread across India, Facebook and WhatsApp have become fierce battlegrounds for Indias political parties. Modi's party and its leaders have repeatedly denied the allegations and instead accuse Facebook of censoring pro-India content. It found that 93% of the hate speech reported to Facebook was not removed. She said Facebook India must ensure diversity in its content moderation team and consumer oversight of hate content.

This cover image released by Hitco Entertainment and Khandro Music shows "Inner World," the first album by The Dalai Lama. Thats when the musician and practicing Buddhist proposed an idea to The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama: Lets make an album fusing music with mantras and chants from the Tibetan spiritual leader. But on a trip to India where Kunin says she typically gets a chance to meet the Dalai Lama she asked again, this time writing a letter and handing it to one of his assistants. The album featuring teachings and mantras by the Dalai Lama set to music will be released on July 6, his 85th birthday. Shankar said being invited to perform on the album was a huge honor.She first met The Dalai Lama as a child with her father, the legendary musician Ravi Shankar.