Utilising the emergency powers under the IT Rules 2021, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has issued directions for blocking of the website, two mobile applications, four social media accounts, and one smart TV app of Pakistan-based OTT Platform Vidly TV.
The OTT Platform had recently released a web-series titled “Sevak: The Confessions”, which was found to be detrimental to national security, sovereignty and integrity of India. It impedes defence of India, security of the State, India’s friendly relations with foreign states, and public order in the country. Three episodes of the web-series have been released till date. It is suspected that the web series is sponsored by the Pakistani information operations apparatus.
Anti-India content
The opening credits of the web-series show the Ashok Chakra of the Indian flag on fire. It has distorted versions of sensitive historical events pertaining to India. The web-series portrayed an anti-India narrative on sensitive historical events and subjects of national importance, e.g. Operation Blue Star and its aftermath, demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya, killing of a Christian missionary named Graham Staines, Malegaon blasts, Samjhauta Express blasts, inter-state river water dispute related to Sutlej Yamuna Link canal, etc.
The YouTube channels that have been blocked are:
Khabar with Facts
Khabar Taiz
Global Truth
New Global Facts
Information Hub
Flash Now
Faisal Tarar Speaks
Apni Dunya TV
Haqeekat ki Dunia
Shahzad Abbas
Mera Pakistan With Shahab
Khabar With Ahmad
HR Tv
Sabee Kazmi
Such Tv Network
Saqib Speaks
Salman Haidar Official
Sajid Gondal Speaks
Maleeha Hashmey
Umar Daraz Gondal
Khoji TV
Khoji TV 2.0
Cover Point
Junaid Flix
National Studio
Informative world
DunyaOfficial
Studio360
Haqeeqat Tv News
Haqeeqat TV 786
Bol Media TV
Urdu Studio
Zaki Abbas
White News
DNow
The websites that have been blocked are White News and DNow.
The web series is said to contain several dialogues such as passing of wounds by the Sikh people to their next generations in the context of Operation Blue Star; Indian State being against the interests of the Muslim community; and all Indian political parties being hand-in-glove in the demolition of Babri Masjid, etc. In one instance, a visual portrays an Indian television news channel showing “Muslims, Sikhs and Christians are India’s internal threat, says Home Minister”.
What is Vidly TV
“Vidly is an emerging OTT player providing Movies and TV content Globally. This service is available to users across all mobile and connected devices with streaming capabilities. Subscribers enjoy ad-free viewing at price points that are specifically designed to suit their payment and consumption profiles,” is how the channel describes itself on its website.
In December 2021, GoI blocked two websites, 20 YouTube channels linked to Pakistan for spreading anti-India propaganda.
List of channels that have been blocked in December 2021
Four of the YouTube channels were concentrated specifically on Kashmir related content. These channels were The Punch Line, The Naked Truth, 48 News and Cover Story. Two of the channels concentrated on Khalistan related propaganda videos. These channels were InternationalWeb News and Khalsa TV. Two of the channels, News24 and Punjab Viral, were publishing both Khalistani and Kashmir related content.
Five YouTube channels were publishing general anti-India content. These channels were Fictional, Historical Facts, Naya Pakistan Global, Go Global and eCommerce. There were eight YouTube channels that were linked to news channel reporters, influencers and anchors from Pakistan. These channels were Junail Haleem Official, Tayyab Hanif, Zain Ali Official, Mohsin Rajput Official, Kaneez Fatima, Sadaf Durrani, Mian Imran Ahmad and Najam Ul Hassan Bajwa.
The propaganda videos had titles like “Kashmiri Mujahideen Targets Indian Army With Rockets”, “Pakistan Surprises to India on Rajasthan Border”, 50 Indian Spy Hang By Afghan Talebans To Send Big Message To Modi”, and more.
Source: The Economic Times, Opindia, India Today, Twitter
