In a decisive step in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 innocent people dead, the Indian government has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels run by popular cricket faces such as Shoaib Akhtar, Basit Ali, and Rashid Latif. The move is one of India’s non-military actions against the tragic Jammu and Kashmir attack.
Government Cites National Security Concerns
The move by the Indian government to block these channels was made on the advice of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The move was prompted by the channels’ alleged transmission of inciting and communally sensitive material that generated false and misleading information regarding India, its armed forces, and security agencies, especially after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Upon visiting any of the Indian blocked channels, users are presented with a message stating, “This content is not available in this country at the moment due to a government order regarding national security or public order. To learn more about government removal requests, visit the Google Transparency Report.”
Banned Channels and Their Impact
The ban aims at a vast list of leading channels, from mainstream Pakistani news networks like Dawn News, Samaa TV, and Geo News to individual content creators like the ex-cricket player Tanveer Ahmed. Officially reported, the banned channels combined hold a base of 63.08 million subscribers, marking their extensive coverage.
These channels were suspended for propagating content that is inflammatory, ill-informed, and detrimental to India’s national security,” a top government official clarified. Channels such as BOL News, ARY News, and others have now been taken down from Indian platforms for spreading content that has been accused of inciting communal unrest and creating a negative narrative against India.
International Reactions and Next Steps
Though there is a ban, no official statement has been made by the personalities that were affected, such as Shoaib Akhtar and others, regarding the move. It is still uncertain whether these channels will be reopened, as the situation continues to change. The broad action by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting highlights India’s determination in fighting misinformation and safeguarding its national security interests.
Following the Pahalgam attack, when tourists were specifically targeted, these measures are a part of India’s larger effort to put pressure on Pakistan to account for its hostile propaganda drive.
