- NEW DELHI — India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for spreading
provocative and communally sensitive content, along with false and misleading
narratives targeting India, its Army, and security agencies.
-
- The decision was taken by the Government of India based
on recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs following the tragic
Pahalgam terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir.
-
- The banned channels include Dawn News, Irshad Bhatti,
SAMAA TV, ARY NEWS, BOL NEWS, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, Geo News, Samaa
Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq,
SUNO News HD, and Razi Naama.
-
- These channels were found to be disseminating
disinformation related to India's national security, foreign relations, and
public order. Together, these YouTube channels had a cumulative viewership of
over 6.3080 crore.
-
- They were spreading false and unverified information
aimed at creating panic, inciting communal disharmony, and disturbing public
order within India, according to an official statement.
Read: 537 Pakistani nationals left India through Attari border in 4 days as deadline ends for short-term visa holders
- The banned channels were posting fake news on various
subjects, such as the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir, and India's foreign
relations in light of the Pahalgam terror attack.
-
- In a related move, the official X handle of the
Government of Pakistan had also been withheld by India following the horrific
terror attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 innocent civilians and injured
several others.
-
- Following the deadly attack, India launched a strong
diplomatic offensive, summoning Pakistan's top diplomat in New Delhi, Saad
Ahmad Warraich, and handing over a formal Persona Non Grata note for all
Pakistani military attaches.
