New Delhi: YouTube has restricted access within India to a documentary detailing alleged espionage activities by the Narendra Modi government against the Indian diaspora in Australia, particularly targeting members of the Sikh community involved in the Khalistani movement. This move came after an order from the Indian Information and Broadcasting Ministry, highlighting the government’s sensitivity to international scrutiny.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the documentary titled ‘Infiltrating Australia – India’s Secret War’ was produced by ABC TV for its Four Corners program. It includes firsthand accounts from several Indian-Australians who claim they have been surveilled by Indian intelligence agencies. The documentary initially uploaded on June 17, was geo-blocked in India from July 27 following a confidential order from India’s I and B ministry.
The blocking of this documentary is not an isolated incident. ABC News Director Justin Stevens stated that this was the second directive issued by the Indian government to YouTube this year concerning ABC’s investigative reporting on India. The previous instance involved a documentary on the alleged assassination of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar titled ‘Sikhs, Spies and Murder: Investigating India’s hit on foreign soil.’
Despite the restrictions, ABC has affirmed its commitment to rigorous journalism. Stevens emphasized, “We’re dismayed at efforts to silence strong journalism. It won’t deter us from continuing to report any and all issues in the public interest.” This stance underscores ongoing tensions between the Indian government’s control over digital content and international media’s freedom to report on sensitive subjects.