Facebook removes Pakistani actor Hamza Ali post on Burhan Wani

London, July 21:  Social media giant Facebook removed the post of pakistani actor and director Hamza Ali in which he likened Burhan Wani to ‘shaheed’ (martyr). The actor’s account was also briefly deactivated but Facebook reactivated his account later on.

The move faced widespread criticism as netizens decried the action as a blot on freedom of expression.

Hamza shared the news of reactivation of his account with the following: “Finally after almost 2 days, i am able to post on FB. Facebook as organization can censor whatever they want, BUT THEN THEY SHOULD NEVER CLAIM TO BE CHAMPIONS OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH. To west and India, Burhan Wani Shaheed maybe a dead terrorist, but for me, he is a SHAHEED. Facebook wrote to me that violating their “Terms” may result in permanent deactivation of my accnt, so PLEASE SHARE THIS POST AS MUCH AS YOU CAN as the least we can do for oppressed Kashmiris is to raise a voice. Incase my page is taken down, my twitter ID is twitter.com/iamhamzaabbasi “