In the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which killed at least 28 tourists, the Government of India has banned at least 16 YouTube channels from Pakistan.

As reported by the ANI, the center banned a number of channels for disseminating provocative content and misinformation on India amid the Pahalgam terror attack. These YouTube channels include Pakistani content creators and news agencies that have much viewership in India as well. Some of the prominent channels banned from streaming in the India region include Geo News (18.1 million), ARY News (14.6 million), SAMAA TV (12.7 million), GNN (3.54 million), Uzair Cricket (288k), and Razi Naama (270k), among others. The GOI could possibly ban more content on the platform. The ban was issued on the recommendation of the Ministry of Home Affairs, which is led by Amit Shah.

On the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of India has banned the 16 Pakistani YouTube channels including Dawn News, Samaa TV, Ary News, Geo News for disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives and… pic.twitter.com/AusR1fCkvN
— ANI (@ANI) April 28, 2025

Reactions poured in, with the internet slamming the center for banning the channels that at most will affect the revenue of the content creators. Several appreciated the move, lauding the government’s efforts; however, a handful of users online feel it is not enough with the digital surgical strike. One user quipped, “GOI is Keyboard warrior,” while another jibed, “Gobiji doing the bare minimum.”

Yet another user commented, “This is a disastrous move that must be opposed by the Left. Ignorance is not the route to be taken in any sphere of life, let alone when it is geopolitics. Also, this could establish a fatal logic for any kind of crackdown on info sharing and communication on critical issues.”

Yeh government bhi keyboard warriors se kam nahi hai.
China ne land grab kar diya, app ban kar do.
Pakistan ne innocent tourists ko maar diya, YouTube channels ban kar do. https://t.co/On0sK0GEOk
— Harshvardhan Singh (@hharshvardhans) April 28, 2025

took 11 years and countless massacre of hindu soldiers and civilians for gobijee to do the bare minimum https://t.co/lxB2zIAVLF
— vitasta (@begumdualipa) April 28, 2025

This is a disastrous move that must be opposed by the Left. Ignorance is not the route to be taken in any sphere of life, let alone when it is geopolitics. Also, this could establish a fatal logic for any kind of crackdown on info sharing and communication on critical issues. https://t.co/oO7eg5wYBN
— Thus Spake Shevek (@writingback) April 28, 2025

Surgical Strike on Pakistani Youtubers and News Channels. https://t.co/tolSB9CWZc pic.twitter.com/z3IcOOomhF
— Sharma (@SnatanSupremacy) April 28, 2025

China k app band kiye the
Pakistan k YouTube channel pic.twitter.com/tTWyzBNe1V
— मोगेंबो (@icecubee__) April 28, 2025

See Also: Pahalgam Pony Wallah Who Died Attempting To Snatch Gun From Terrorists Gets Tearful Adieu; Internet Salutes

See Also: Security Agencies Release Sketches Of Suspected Pahalgam Terrorists; They’re Linked To Poonch Attacks

See Also: Olympian Neeraj Chopra Responds To Twitter Trolls Over Pahalgam Tragedy: ‘Hurts To See My Integrity Questioned’

Cover: Patrick Gawande / Mashable India