Parliamentary Panel Demands Report on Action Against Social Media Platforms ‘Undermining’ National Interest

Following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 26 people and heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, a parliamentary panel has urged the government to take concrete steps against social media platforms and influencers allegedly acting against national interest. The panel is particularly concerned about content on these platforms that could potentially incite violence in the country.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology, headed by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, has formally written to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) seeking specific details on the action the government plans to take. The panel has asked both ministries to explain what measures are being considered to identify and ban such platforms and individuals under relevant legal provisions, including the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

According to sources familiar with the development, the panel has sent an official memorandum requesting comprehensive responses from the ministries. It has explicitly asked for details of any “contemplated action taken” or to be taken to curb the operations of platforms or influencers that appear to be working against national interests, particularly those whose content may contribute to unrest or violence.

The panel’s concern stems from the increasing role that digital platforms and social media influencers play in shaping public opinion, especially during periods of heightened national tension. In the wake of the Pahalgam attack, there has been a noticeable increase in inflammatory and provocative content online. The committee believes that if not properly regulated or checked, such content can have dangerous implications for public order and national security.

The request from the committee emphasizes the importance of enforcing existing legal frameworks, such as the IT Act and the 2021 IT Rules, which empower the government to act against digital content that is considered unlawful or harmful to the country's integrity and security. These rules include provisions for platform accountability, takedown mechanisms, and due diligence obligations for intermediaries.

The parliamentary panel has asked for the detailed report from the ministries to be submitted by May 8, 2025, indicating the urgency of the matter in the wake of growing public and political pressure to respond firmly to perceived threats emerging from online platforms.

This initiative also comes amid rising cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan, with accusations and retaliatory actions escalating on both sides following the attack. The Indian government has already taken diplomatic and strategic steps, such as suspending the Indus Water Treaty and deporting Pakistani nationals. The call for regulating digital platforms is seen as another layer of national response aimed at safeguarding internal stability and security.

By seeking detailed information from the relevant ministries, the Parliamentary Standing Committee aims to ensure that the government is taking all necessary measures to prevent the misuse of digital space for activities that could destabilize the country or incite violence among the population.