The government of India has blocked the X account of Austrian economist Gunther Fehlinger-Jhan after he posted a controversial message to “dismantle India."
The economist wrote on X: "I call to dismantle India into ExIndia. @narendramodi is Russia's man. We need friends of freedom for @KhalistanNet."
Funny how the West is losing sleep over India!
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) September 4, 2025
🚨Gunther Fehlinger who calls himself Chairman of NATO’s Enlargement Committee in Austria, has posted a bizarre map calling to “dismantle India into Ex-India”
In same breath he brands PM Modi as “Russia’s man” and also extends… pic.twitter.com/FJmnWHQyye
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology flagged the viral post and directed X to withhold access to Indian users.
Fehlinger-Jahn serves as the President of the Austrian Committee on NATO Membership of Ukraine, Kosovo, Bosnia, and Austria. He also sits on the board of the Action Group for Regional Economic Integration of the Southern Balkans.
In the controversial post, Fehlingfer said, "I call to dismantle India into ExIndia. @narendramodi is Russia's man. We need friends of freedom for @KhalistanNet.” The post was accompanied by a map of Khalistan.
Committee for NATO Membership of Ukraine, Kosovo, Bosnia, and Austria. He also sits on the board of the Action Group for Regional Economic Integration of the Southern Balkans.
When asked if the MEA would raise the matter with the Austrian government, a senior MEA source. "Why give this so much attention? He is a loony. Holds no official position."
Social media users, both political leaders and netizens all gave their angry reactions to the post.
Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi urged India's Ministry of External Affairs to take up the matter with Austria, saying, "What insanity is this? @MEAIndia must take this up with the Austrian Embassy."
Netizens also found an old tweet from Fehlinger where he had backed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as India’s next prime minister.
Fehlinger was born in Linz, Austria, and is known in European policy circles for his support for NATO and European Union expansion.
