The Indian government is intensifying its crackdown on what it describes as “anti-India content” circulating on social media platforms, in a coordinated strategy involving the National Investigation Agency (NIA), intelligence services, and cyber security bodies.
The move comes amid growing concern over terrorist outfits and anti-national elements allegedly using social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube to disseminate radical messages and incite violence.
A government official involved in the planning, according to The Observer, said, “Under the new joint plan, social media platforms will now be required to watch their own systems closely and stop the spread of content that goes against the country’s interests. They will also have to regularly report to the government on what steps they are taking.”
Officials confirmed that the updated strategy would also cover content originating outside India but being shared within the country. “Strong legal action will be taken not just against those posting from abroad, but also against people in India who share or forward such material,” the official added.
According to India today, sources said the NIA is now actively working with other intelligence agencies to implement this plan, with a greater focus on prosecuting those who help amplify and distribute such content. While a system to block offensive videos is already in place, the emphasis will now be on punitive action under Indian law against those responsible for their circulation.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Communications, and Ministry of Law and Justice have held multiple meetings over the past weeks to finalize the coordinated response.
Under the proposed framework, platforms will be officially notified of their responsibilities to monitor and act against harmful content via internal mechanisms. Regular compliance updates to the government will also be mandated.
The renewed push also follows global scrutiny of India’s conduct. In November 2023, the US Department of Justice unveiled a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York, allegedly involving an agent of India’s external intelligence agency, R&AW. The case led to the indictment of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who was extradited from Prague to the US in June 2024. Gupta is accused of working with a former Indian official, Vikash Yadav, to carry out the plot.
While the Indian government has not officially responded to the US allegations, the recent crackdown signals a growing effort to counter what it sees as external attempts to destabilize the nation via digital platforms, as well as internal networks aiding such campaigns.
The government maintains that the campaign is aimed at curbing the spread of misinformation, hate, and incitement that poses a threat to national unity and public safety.
(With inputs from The Observer and India Today).
