Key Points
- India has banned 16 major Pakistani YouTube channels, including news outlets and celebrity accounts, in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
- The ban targets platforms accused of spreading provocative, communally sensitive, and anti-India content, with a combined subscriber base of over 63 million.
- This digital crackdown is part of a broader series of non-military measures against Pakistan, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari border, and visa cancellations for Pakistani nationals.
- The move follows nationwide outrage and demands for decisive action against terrorism and anti-India propaganda.
- Pakistan has retaliated by suspending the Simla Agreement, closing its airspace to Indian flights, and severing other bilateral ties.
New Delhi: In a sweeping digital crackdown following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government has banned 16 prominent Pakistani YouTube channels-including news giants like Dawn News, ARY News, Samaa TV, and Geo News, as well as the channel of former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar-for Indian viewers. The move comes as part of a series of non-military measures aimed at countering what officials describe as a surge in provocative, communally sensitive, and misleading content targeting India in the aftermath of the April 22 attack, which left 26 people dead in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran valley.
Why the Ban?
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the banned Pakistani YouTube channels were “disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives and misinformation against India, its Army and security agencies” after the Pahalgam incident. The action is intended to curb the spread of anti-India propaganda and prevent the escalation of communal tensions at a time of heightened national security concerns.
Indian users attempting to access these channels now see 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”.
Full List of Banned Channels
The ban covers a wide spectrum of Pakistani digital content creators and news organizations, including:
- Dawn News
- ARY News
- Samaa TV
- Geo News
- BOL News
- Raftar
- Suno News
- The Pakistan Reference
- Samaa Sports
- Uzair Cricket
- GNN
- Umar Cheema Exclusive
- Asma Shirazi
- Muneeb Farooq
- Razi Naama
- Shoaib Akhtar’s “100mph” channel
Collectively, these channels command a subscriber base of over 63 million, with a significant portion of their audience based in India.
Part of a Broader Response
The digital ban is just one element of India’s robust non-military response to the Pahalgam attack, which has included:
- Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty: India has halted the 1960 water-sharing agreement, leveraging hydrological pressure on Pakistan.
- Closure of the Attari-Wagah Border: All movement of people and goods between India and Pakistan has been suspended, with only those possessing valid documents allowed to return by May 1.
- Visa Cancellations: All Pakistani nationals in India have been ordered to leave, and the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistan has been revoked.
- Diplomatic Downgrade: Both countries have reduced their diplomatic presence, expelled military advisors, and suspended high-level contacts.
Escalating Tensions and Public Outrage
The Pahalgam attack-one of the deadliest since the 2019 Pulwama strike-has sparked nationwide protests and a surge of anger against Pakistan, with demands for decisive action resounding across the political spectrum. The Indian Army and security agencies have intensified search operations in Jammu and Kashmir, while Pakistan has responded by suspending the Simla Agreement, closing its airspace to Indian flights, and cutting off trade and other bilateral ties.
Government’s Stand and Global Reactions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed that those responsible for the attack will face unprecedented consequences, asserting that India’s unity and resolve in the fight against terrorism remain unshaken. The government has also issued a warning to international media, including the BBC, over coverage deemed misleading or sympathetic to the attackers.
India’s ban on Pakistani YouTube channels marks a significant escalation in the digital and diplomatic standoff between the two countries, reflecting the Modi government’s determination to counter both terrorism and cross-border propaganda in the wake of the Pahalgam tragedy.
