New Delhi [India], July 3 : Congress leader Shama Mohamed on Thursday criticised the Central government over the visibility of several Pakistani YouTube channels and social media accounts in India and demanded an answer from the government.
Speaking to ANI, the Congress leader said, "4 terrorists are roaming freely. They have not been caught. During the UPA time, after 26/11, we caught Ajmal Kasab and we hanged him... The present government have such good relations with the Pakistanis that they also removed the ban on the social media channels of cricketers and YouTubers. PM Modi needs to answer to this..."
Her remarks follow reports that Instagram accounts of certain Pakistani actors, including Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor, were briefly visible to Indian users on Wednesday.
This significant development sparked outrage on social media. However, as of Thursday morning these accounts continue to be withheld in India. Upon searching for their accounts, users can see a message: "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."
India had banned social media accounts of several Pakistani actors and cricketers after they reportedly spewed Anti-India content after India's Operation Sindoor, which was launched on May 7 in response to a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. Operation Sindoor was followed by an intense military confrontation between India and Pakistan that lasted around four days.
Earlier in April, India had announced a ban on 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for spreading provocative and communally sensitive content and misinformation against India, its Army and security agencies in the backdrop of the tragic Pahalgam terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir.
The significant action followed the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). These channels were found to be disseminating false and unverified information related to India's national security, foreign relations, and public order. Collectively, they had a significant viewership.