Indian Government has written to BBC’s India head
On Monday, the Indian government expressed significant objections to the BBC‘s reporting on the Pahalgam terror attack. In a piece named “Pakistan suspends visas for Indians after deadly Kashmir attack,” the BBC described the terror incident as a “militant attack,” leading the Narendra Modi administration to write to the BBC’s India head, Jackie Martin.
In an official letter sent to the BBC, the government additionally stated that the Ministry of External Affairs will oversee the BBC’s reporting in the future.
According to India Today TV, the External Publicity and Public Diplomacy Division of the Indian foreign ministry has “conveyed the country’s strong sentiments to Jackie Martin (India Head, BBC) regarding their reporting on the terror attack.”
India has highlighted use of term ‘militants’ in reference to ‘terrorists’
The government has highlighted the use of the term “militants” in reference to “terrorists” in the article.
Additionally, in light of the online material related to the horrific terror event, the government has shut down 16 YouTube channels from Pakistan within the country. The decision has been made following the suggestions of the Home Ministry.
Included in the banned platforms are the YouTube channels of news organizations such as Dawn, Samaa TV, ARY News, Bol News, Raftar, Geo News, and Suno News. Moreover, the channels of various journalists, including Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema, and Muneeb Farooq, have likewise been blocked in India. Among the other channels that have been prohibited are The Pakistan Reference, Samaa Sports, Uzair Cricket, and Razi Naama.
Users attempting to view these YouTube channels are met with the message: “This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order.”
Government sources indicate that this measure has been implemented to curb the dissemination of inflammatory, communally charged material and deceptive narratives aimed at India and its security forces following the massacre of 26 civilians in Pahalgam.
The action comes after India decided to suspend the Indus Water Treaty due to terror connections to Pakistan revealed in the Pahalgam attack. Pakistanis residing in India were also instructed to exit the country by Sunday. Individuals holding a medical visa must go back by Tuesday.
