Instagram blocks all posts with #sikh, then unblocks it: Here's what Facebook said

If you tried searching for #sikh on Instagram you were getting a blank page with the message - “To make sure only the most relevant posts are shown, we've hidden some posts that may be private or low quality”.

Instagram blocked all posts with #sikh, it looks like they have “unblocked” it now.  (Pixabay)

As the farmers' protests against the Farm Bill rages on the in capital with Sikh farmers battling it out in the forefront, social media has been full of photos and posts about it. However, if you place at Instagram posts, not stories, the narrative seems to be a little different. 

Try searching for #sikh on Instagram and this is what you get -

Blocked posts when searched for #sikh on Instagram.  (HT Tech)

Blocked posts when searched for #sikh on Instagram.  (HT Tech)

The message reads - “To make sure only the most relevant posts are shown, we've hidden some posts that may be private or low quality”.

Other hashtags like #sikhism or #sikhtemple throw up search results but just not #sikh. 

A few moments after reaching out to Instagram, searching for #sikh showed us these results:

A second search, a few moments later showed us this… (HT Tech)

A second search, a few moments later showed us this… (HT Tech)

Another few moments later - this is what we got:

Finally “unblocking” things? (HT Tech)

Finally “unblocking” things? (HT Tech)

Now, we don't know if this was the result of us flagging this issue with Instagram or something else entirely. 

Facebook/Instagram finally responded to HT Tech's query and here's what they had to say -

“The #sikh hashtag was temporarily blocked because of multiple reports from the community for violations of our Community Guidelines. It has now been unblocked,” a Facebook spokesperson said.