India bans Pakistani YouTube channels for provocative content after the Pahalgam attack, while also confronting the BBC over controversial coverage

In a significant move, the Indian government has blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, collectively amassing 63 million subscribers, accusing them of spreading provocative and communally sensitive content in the wake of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. These channels, including those of renowned news outlets like Dawn, Samaa TV, ARY News, and Geo News, have been banned on the recommendations of the Union Home Ministry.

The blocked channels also include those belonging to prominent Pakistani journalists such as Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, and Umar Cheema, along with other handles like The Pakistan Reference and Uzair Cricket. According to government sources, these platforms have been disseminating false and misleading narratives that attack India, its army, and security agencies, especially after the tragic events of April 22, when 25 tourists and a Kashmiri were brutally shot dead by terrorists in Pahalgam.

The crackdown is being seen as a direct response to what the government describes as harmful content that fuels communal tensions. If one attempts to access these blocked channels, they will receive a message stating, “This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order.” This reflects India’s stringent approach to countering online content deemed to be a threat to public peace and national security.

This bold move comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following accusations that Pakistan may have played a role in the Pahalgam attack. In response, India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty and visa services for Pakistani nationals, escalating diplomatic friction. Pakistan, in turn, has signalled its right to suspend all bilateral agreements with India, including the Simla Agreement, which has governed the countries’ relations since 1972.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that those responsible for the attack will face severe retribution. He promised that India would track down every terrorist involved and their supporters. “From Kargil to Kanyakumari, there is grief and rage. This attack was not just on innocent tourists; the country’s enemies have shown the audacity to attack India’s soul,” Modi said, vowing to “raze whatever is left of the terror haven.”

In a related development, the Indian government has also raised concerns with the BBC regarding its headline following the Pahalgam attack. The headline, which read, “Pakistan suspends visas for Indians after deadly Kashmir attack on tourists,” was perceived by many as implying that India was responsible for the attack. The External Publicity Department of the Ministry of External Affairs has conveyed India’s “strong sentiments” about the BBC’s reporting to Jackie Martin, the India Head of the BBC. Furthermore, a formal letter has been sent to the BBC for referring to terrorists involved in the attack as “militants.” The Indian government has indicated that it will closely monitor the BBC’s future coverage of the issue.

The tensions between the two countries have once again flared, with media and diplomatic disputes adding fuel to an already volatile situation. India’s government has emphasised that such actions are in line with protecting the nation’s security and maintaining public order.