India Responds to Kashmir Attack with Media Clampdown and Arrests

May 06, 2025 – India/Pakistan –

Following a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, the Indian government has taken swift actions to control the media narrative, blocking several YouTube channels, arresting social media users, and cracking down on independent commentary. The response has raised concerns among press freedom advocates over the shrinking space for dissent and the growing criminalization of speech.

The attack, which resulted in multiple casualties, was attributed to Pakistan-based militants. In its aftermath, authorities began targeting what they labeled as “anti-India propaganda.” Several Pakistani YouTube channels were blocked for allegedly spreading misinformation and inciting unrest. Indian news sources confirmed that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ordered the blocks, accusing the channels of promoting falsehoods and endangering national security.

At the same time, domestic commentators also faced reprisals. A journalist in Jammu and Kashmir was reportedly assaulted by police after questioning the government’s handling of the incident. Independent analysts who spoke critically about the security lapse were either detained or had cases filed against them under stringent laws, including sections related to sedition and public mischief.

Among those charged were prominent social media commentators accused of stoking communal tensions. The government has maintained that these actions are necessary to prevent the spread of disinformation and to protect public order. However, press freedom organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists, have condemned the moves as excessive and retaliatory. They argue that the use of force and legal threats against journalists and analysts sets a dangerous precedent for media independence in India.

This is not the first time Indian authorities have used digital bans and police action in response to unrest in Kashmir. The region has long been a flashpoint for media censorship, internet shutdowns, and intimidation of journalists. Observers warn that the current wave of repression not only limits public access to diverse viewpoints but also instills fear among those seeking to report the truth.

As tensions in Kashmir remain high, the broader implications for freedom of expression in India are increasingly coming under scrutiny, both domestically and abroad.

Reference –

YouTube channel blocked, journalist assaulted, commentators charged after Kashmir attack in India

https://www.indiaforums.com/article/india-blocks-pakistani-youtube-channels-for-spreading-false-narratives-after-pahalgam-attack_221415

India Bans Pakistani YouTube Channels After Pahalgam Terror Attack