Social media accounts belonging to numerous Pakistani celebrities and YouTube channels have once again been blocked in India. This follows a brief period where some accounts were accessible due to what Indian officials described as a "technical glitch".
The accounts of prominent figures like Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, and Hania Aamir remained restricted. While accounts of Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor were briefly visible, they were quickly blocked again. YouTube channels of former cricketers Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar, along with several TV channels, were also temporarily restored before access was cut off again.
Users in India are now met with a message stating, "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content" when attempting to access these accounts.
The initial wave of bans coincided with criticism from Pakistani celebrities like Fahad Mustafa, Hina Altaf, and Ushna Shah regarding an Indian attack that impacted mosques and civilian homes. The current restrictions follow the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed. India has accused Pakistan of backing the attackers, a claim Pakistan vehemently denies.
India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has not issued a formal explanation, but sources told India Today that the temporary access was due to a technical error that has now been corrected. Officials stated that approximately 14,000 accounts remain banned and will be periodically reviewed based on compliance with India's digital regulations and national security laws.
The brief access to these accounts sparked criticism from the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), which has long advocated for a cultural and digital boycott of Pakistan. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the AICWA described the incident as an "insult" to the families of victims of terrorism.
In April, India banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading provocative and communally sensitive content, false narratives, and misinformation against India, its army, and security agencies. The banned channels include prominent media outlets such as Dawn News, ARY News, Samaa TV, Bol News, and Geo News, along with other channels.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had also advised over-the-top (OTT) platforms, media streaming services, and digital intermediaries in India to discontinue web series, films, songs, podcasts, and other media content originating from Pakistan, citing national security concerns.
