Srinagar, In a move that tightens control over the narrative concerning its governance, the Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has explicitly warned Kashmiri government employees against criticizing its policies and actions on social media platforms. This directive is perceived as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent within the region’s public sector.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the newly issued circular forbids government employees from engaging in any form of critique against the government on social media. This includes posting, tweeting, or sharing content that could be construed as critical of governmental policies or actions. Moreover, the circular extends to prohibit the participation in discussions, membership of social media pages, or following accounts that are considered “political, anti-secular, or communal in nature,” explicitly highlighting the BJP government’s shift towards Hindutva ideologies.

The directive does not stop at mere censorship but also mandates government employees to actively defend and elucidate government policies on these digital platforms. Additionally, airing grievances online has been expressly forbidden, with the circular cautioning that any deviation from these guidelines will be treated as misconduct, potentially leading to disciplinary action against the violator.

This development has raised alarm among advocates of free speech and democracy, who argue that such restrictions severely limit government employees’ rights to express their views on matters of public interest. Critics of the circular see it as an instrument designed to purge dissenting voices from the government under the pretext of regulating social media use, leaving the interpretation and enforcement of these guidelines to the discretion of the Indian government and its judiciary system.

This policy adds another layer to the already complex issue of freedom of expression in Indian-administered Kashmir, where tensions between local aspirations and central governance have long existed.