Indian Govt Goes After Pro-Khalistan Websites: Blocks 12 Portals Pushing Khalistan Propaganda

New Delhi: After noticing a surge in pro-Khalistani propaganda on the digital world, the Indian government has now ordered to block 12 websites which were allegedly pushing pro-Khalistani agenda and were linked with banned outfits.

A senior officer in the government told The420 that some of these sites were directly managed by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), an unlawful organization under the UAPA, 1967.

The banned websites include SFJ4Farmers, pbteam, seva413, pb4u, sadapind etc with “.org” as extensions.

“12 websites have been ordered to be blocked by the Ministry of Electronics and IT under section 69 A of the IT Act. They were supporting pro-Khalistani activities. The order was issued on Monday,” said a source in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), which is the nodal authority for monitoring the cyber space in India.

The move is in continuation to Center’s move in July where they blocked 40 websites linked to pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) for ‘a campaign for registering supporters for its cause’.

“Through these digital platforms, attempts are being made to destabilising the country. Such forums are helping in reviving militancy in Punjab through their anti-national activities and through their support to and involvement in the Khalistan movement,” a senior officer said.

Indian cybersecurity experts have pointed out that many websites, forums and chant groups were activated which were related to pro-Khalistan groups. They are mostly operating outside India especially in European countries and Canada.

Last year, the home ministry had banned the SFJ for its alleged anti-national activities. The SFJ had pushed for Sikh Referendum 2020 as part of its separatist agenda.

On July 1, the home ministry had declared nine individuals linked to separatist Khalistani outfits, including four based in Pakistan, as designated terrorists under the provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).