Telegram, the popular messaging app, has formally challenged the Indian government's temporary ban in a New Delhi court, arguing that the decision is unconstitutional and disproportionate to its goal of preventing exam cheating. The ban, effective from Tuesday, sought to block Telegram channels accused of leaking exam papers before the scheduled tests, but has sparked controversy over the use of blanket blocking measures.
In its petition filed on Wednesday, Telegram argued that the government's action is "unconstitutional," "a disproportionate measure," and "an overly broad restriction on users' fundamental right to freedom of expression." Telegram warned that if the ban is upheld, it would "allow the indiscriminate suspension of digital platforms" and lead to "the complete shutdown" of a service used by over 150 million people in India.
The company also argued that the blocking order failed to consider that hundreds of thousands, even millions, of students and teachers rely on Telegram to access study materials and communicate with educational institutions. Activists have long criticized that the legal provision used to impose such restrictions can be abused to curb free speech, although Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government insists its actions are lawful and in the public interest.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov on Wednesday also questioned the ban's effectiveness in preventing exam leaks, suggesting it punishes 150 million Indian users rather than "the insiders who leaked the exam materials." Earlier this month, the government canceled a major medical entrance exam, the National Entrance Test (NEET), after discovering the questions had been leaked in advance. The leaks sparked student protests across the country and led to the emergence of the satirical "Cheat Party," which called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Telegram has grown rapidly in India, now its largest market by downloads, although WhatsApp remains the dominant messaging platform in the country.
