Amidst heightened tensions between India and Canada, the Indian government has observed a surge in pro-Khalistan content online. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Ministry of Home Affairs are actively working to curb this trend.
This isn’t the first time such content has spiked; previous instances include the farmers’ protests. Authorities are taking measures like issuing takedown orders and restricting or withholding profiles that threaten India’s national security and sovereignty.
Short messages promoting “Khalsa Raj”
Organizations like Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), led by the banned activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, continue to spread their message through sympathizer handles. Security experts believe the recent tensions between India and Canada over the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar have provided fertile ground for pro-Khalistan groups to recruit, fundraise, and radicalize youth. Other organizations, such as the World Sikh Organization (WSO), have also been active through their mouthpiece, Baaz. Their social media handles have been restricted in India.
The WSO handle on X (formerly Twitter) throws up a message – “@WorldSikhOrg has been withheld in IN (India) in response to a legal demand.” Handles of the SFJ and some others like @Khalistan2030 too have the same warning that pops up.
Abhinav Pandya, CEO of Usanas Foundation, told Economic Times that the Khalistan movement lacks ground support in Punjab, forcing them to seek online sympathy. Short voice messages of 10-15 seconds promoting the “Khalsa Raj” are reportedly being circulated on messaging platforms.
IT ministry to use Section 69A of IT Act to block handles, messages channels and more
The blocking and takedown of such content by the Indian government is permitted under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. This section gives the government the power to block online content in certain circumstances that include when it is to protect India’s sovereignty and integrity, to defend India, to protect the security of the state, to maintain friendly relations with foreign states, to maintain public order and to prevent the incitement of cognisable offenses.