New Delhi (National Times): The Indian government has taken a firm stand against digital content with Pakistani origins, ordering OTT and streaming platforms to remove such material in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed and injured several civilians.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in a newly issued advisory, invoked the 2021 IT Rules to justify the removal. According to the document, content that threatens India’s sovereignty, affects its relations with foreign states, or incites violence falls foul of the nation’s digital media ethics code.
Deputy Director Kshitij Aggarwal, who signed the advisory, said the decision was made in the interest of national security and public order. “Given the proven connections between recent terror attacks and Pakistan-based actors, no platform can be allowed to carry content originating from there,” he stated.
The advisory calls on platforms to remove all Pakistani-origin films, web series, music, and other streaming media, regardless of whether it is free or behind a paywall. This action follows growing pressure on content regulation amid rising Indo-Pak tensions.
The Ministry has also urged self-regulatory bodies and associations of OTT platforms to ensure strict compliance, suggesting more regulatory scrutiny could follow in the coming days.
