Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue of “intelectual Naxalism” as a key issue in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort. He stated that while we have eliminated the bloody Naxalism, people now need to be wary of the rapidly growing “intelectual Naxals.”
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement on “mindless Naxalism,” the Congress party protested, calling it an attack on people’s freedom of expression. Supporting freedom of expression, Congress leader and former Home and Finance Minister P. Chidambaram described himself as a “mindless Naxalite.” Following this, Pawan Khera and several other Congress leaders also criticized PM Modi’s “mindless Naxalism” speech from the Red Fort on Independence Day.
PM Modi’s Prime Ministerial 4 government refuted the Congress’s allegation, stating that it does not seek to infringe on the freedom of expression of Indian citizens, but rather aims to eliminate the country’s enemies through this. The Indian government stated that our neighboring country, Pakistan, is trying to destroy our country by resorting to intelectual Naxalism, and that many of our countrymen are being misled into becoming pawns of Pakistan, causing harm to their own country.
Pakistan primarily uses social media as a digital weapon for propaganda, radicalization, and misguidance among youth. According to reports from Indian security agencies, Pakistan employs the following strategies:
1. Fake News & Narratives Toolkits and Trends: Artificially trending hate-mongering hashtags on social media around sensitive issues in India (such as caste, religion, or politics). Deepfakes and Morphed Videos: Violent videos from old or other countries are shared as Indian to incite communal tension.
2. Youth are brainwashed online.
3. Promotion of Radicalization: Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp groups are used to target youth in Kashmir and other parts of India.
4. Terrorist recruitment: Youth are motivated to join terrorist organizations (such as Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed) by inciting their religious or personal sentiments.
5. Hybrid warfare and bot networks and fake accounts: Pakistan’s intelligence agency (ISI) and its supported cyber cells operate thousands of social media accounts with fake Indian names.
6. Inciting internal divisions: The primary purpose of these accounts is to create distrust and hostility between different sections of Indian society (such as Hindus and Muslims, different castes or regions).
7. Cyber espionage and honeytrap targeting security forces: Indian Army, paramilitary forces, and police personnel are lured by creating fake profiles of beautiful women on social media.
8. Stealing confidential information: This is done to gain access to sensitive military locations, movements, and strategic information.
9. Creating unrest and economic and social instability by spreading rumors: Creating an atmosphere of fear and panic in the country by spreading rumors during a major event or epidemic.
10. Damaging the image of security forces: Damaging India’s image internationally by making false allegations of human rights violations against the Indian Army and police.
Following PM Modi’s reference to intelectual Naxalism from the Red Fort, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has now taken several strong and strategic steps to counter Pakistan-backed propaganda, fake news, and digital propaganda on social media. The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is continuously taking action against these activities in collaboration with security and intelligence agencies. The main steps taken by Amit Shah to counter Pakistan’s propaganda are as follows:
1. Crackdown on digital terror and recruitment networks: Dismantling the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN): In August 2026, security agencies conducted a nationwide operation and dismantled the Pakistan-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network. This network was using social media (like Instagram and Facebook) to mislead Indian youth and recruit them for terrorist activities. More than 200 suspects were arrested under this. 2. Blocking of propaganda accounts and channels Ban on Coordinated Disinformation Network: On the input of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has blocked dozens of YouTube channels, Facebook pages and websites operating from Pakistan. These channels were continuously spreading false and inflammatory content on sensitive issues like Kashmir, Indian Army and internal security. 3. Strict stand against AI and deepfake propaganda Strengthening fact-check system: To counter AI-generated deepfake videos being created by Pakistani handles on Indian politicians and army, central agencies like PIB Fact Check have been directed to immediately issue alerts and remove such content from social media platforms. 4. Directive orders to border states and local police for strict surveillance: Amit Shah directed the Chief Ministers and DGPs of states bordering Pakistan (like Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat) to monitor the situation on social media.Instructions have been given to keep a strict vigil on anti-national propaganda.
2. Quick legal action: Coordination with central agencies has been directed to immediately register FIRs against social media handles spreading misleading information.
5. Global Intelligence Coordination Strategy: Coordination with friendly countries: The Home Minister has emphasized on developing a strong intelligence strategy in collaboration with friendly countries to combat fake news and disinformation. This includes aggressive digital and legal action against anti-India digital networks operating from abroad.