India’s Crackdown on Social Media in Occupied Kashmir

India’s Crackdown on Social Media in Occupied Kashmir

September 22, 2025 Off By Sharp Media

The latest raids on social media users in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir once again expose the true face of the Modi government. Seven young people have been detained, their devices seized, and cases filed under the harsh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. These actions are not about law and order but about silencing voices that speak for human rights and justice. India claims to be the largest democracy in the world, yet in Kashmir it acts as an occupier that fears truth and punishes anyone who dares to speak.

The raids were carried out by the Counter Intelligence Kashmir unit across Srinagar, Baramulla and Islamabad districts. Officials claimed that those detained were “masquerading as social activists” and using human rights and women’s empowerment platforms to spread misinformation. In reality, they were exposing Indian repression and highlighting the struggle of the Kashmiri people. This shows once again that Modi’s government is more interested in propaganda and intimidation than in solving real problems.

Targeting Social Media Users

The Indian police and agencies are now openly targeting online voices. Social media had given space to Kashmiri youth to share their stories and bring attention to daily injustices. By raiding homes and seizing digital devices, the Indian state has sent a message that even online expression will not be tolerated.

Raids And Detentions:

• Raids carried out at eight locations in Srinagar, Baramulla and Islamabad.
• At least seven individuals taken into custody.
• Mobile phones, laptops and other devices seized.

India fears ordinary people more than armed groups. A young person with a phone has become a threat because their posts and messages expose the reality of occupation more strongly than any speech from New Delhi.

Use Of Black Laws

The Modi government has turned harsh laws into weapons against citizens. The Unlawful Activities Act allows police to detain people without evidence or trial for long periods. Families of the detained confirm that the charges are false and based only on suspicion.

Misuse Of UAPA:

• UAPA used again and again in occupied Kashmir to silence critics.
• Harsh sections of the Penal Code applied without proof.
• Families say charges are fabricated and politically driven.

This misuse of law shows the weakness of the Indian state. A strong state listens to its people. A weak state hides behind laws that crush voices of truth.

Targeting Human Rights Defenders

Those who raise human rights concerns or work on women’s issues are now branded as enemies of the state. Instead of respecting their work, Indian agencies accuse them of radicalising youth. The real reason is simple. India does not want anyone to speak about rights, dignity or justice in Kashmir.

Impact On Civil Society:

• Human rights defenders accused of spreading falsehoods.
• Activists working on women’s rights branded as threats.
• Civil society organisations silenced through raids.

The plan is to make every Kashmiri who speaks for rights appear as a danger. This is a direct attempt to destroy civil society in occupied Kashmir.

Part Of A Larger Campaign

The crackdown on social media is not an isolated event. It is part of a larger campaign that has been running for years. Journalists have been harassed, newspapers forced into silence, and activists thrown into jails. The new raids are just another step to remove what little space remains for free speech.

Examples Of Wider Repression:

• Journalists targeted for reporting human rights abuses.
• Newspapers pressured to avoid sensitive coverage.
• Activists regularly detained or harassed.

The Modi government wants to show the world a false image of normalcy while hiding the pain of Kashmiris. This is why it attacks every form of free expression.

False Claims Of Security

India justifies these actions by accusing detainees of links with terror networks. No evidence is presented and no transparent process is followed. Such claims are made only to cover up repression and silence critics.

India’s Narrative:

• Citizens branded as linked with terror without evidence.
• Security excuses used as cover for political control.
• Voices of dissent falsely labelled as enemies.

This narrative is false. The real reason is that India fears being exposed by its own citizens.

Crushing Free Expression

Occupied Kashmir has already seen the closure of political space. Now even online space is under direct attack. Social media gave young people and activists a chance to raise their voice, but India has decided to crush even that.

Impact On Expression:

• Social media heavily monitored by Indian agencies.
• Users punished for posting about rights and justice.
• Fear created to stop people from speaking online.

This is not how a democracy functions. This is how an authoritarian regime behaves.

Human Cost Of Crackdown

Behind every raid there are families that suffer. Parents speak of police breaking into homes, taking away phones, and detaining children on false charges. Mothers and fathers wait in fear, uncertain about the future of their sons. This is the human cost of India’s repression.

Voices Of Families:

• Parents confirm charges are false and baseless.
• Families say their children only spoke about rights.
• Fear spreads across entire communities after each raid.

India ignores this pain, but it cannot erase it from the hearts of the people.

Global Silence Encourages India

Human rights groups have strongly criticised these raids. But powerful countries remain silent, preferring trade and politics over justice. This silence gives India more freedom to continue its actions without fear of accountability.

Global Reaction:

• Rights groups condemn India’s misuse of laws.
• World powers remain silent due to political interests.
• Silence allows India to continue its campaign of repression.

When the world remains silent, it becomes a partner in India’s crimes.

Conclusion: India Fears The Truth

The crackdown on social media users in Srinagar, Baramulla and Islamabad shows once again that India fears truth more than anything else. Modi’s government has turned harsh laws like UAPA into tools of oppression. Young people are detained, families are terrorised, and devices are seized because the state is afraid of their voices.

India calls itself the largest democracy but acts like an authoritarian regime in Kashmir. It fears posts and tweets because they expose its lies. It cannot tolerate those who raise questions of justice and rights. This is not strength but weakness.

The people of Kashmir deserve freedom of speech and the right to live with dignity. India cannot hide behind false charges forever. The more it cracks down, the more it exposes its fear. The world must see India for what it has become under Modi: a state that silences truth and punishes those who dare to speak.