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A parliamentary panel on communications and IT has directed the ministries of Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology to furnish details of planned actions against social media platforms and influencers allegedly working against national interests. The directive comes amid the country remains on high alert after the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
Headed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, the Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology expressed concern that certain online entities are inciting violence, news agency PTI reported.
In a move signalling heightened scrutiny of the digital space, the parliamentary panel has specifically sought information on potential bans of such platforms under the existing Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
The secretaries of both the I&B and MeitY have been instructed to submit their comprehensive responses outlining planned actions by Thursday, May 8.
Following the April 22 terrorist attack in which Pakistan-based terrorists opened fire on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 26 people, the government has taken strong measures to monitor and regulate digital platforms, among other actions. Several YouTube channels and Instagram profiles, including those of prominent critics and celebrities, have been banned.
X handles of several Pakistani political leaders, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister Abdullah Tarar, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and former minister Bilawal Bhutto, have also been withheld in India as tensions between the two nations remain high.
Multiple FIRs were also filed against social media users over their comments about the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
Security agencies across the country remain on high alert as tensions escalate between the two nations following the attack. Accusing Pakistan of fostering cross-border terrorism, India has announced a series of punitive measures, including cancelling visas for Pakistani nationals, closing the border and airspace, downsizing diplomatic missions, suspending trade, and putting the Indus Waters Treaty under review, among other steps.
