After Pakistani Celebs Ban, Pak Series, Films & Songs Ordered To 'Discontinue' OTT Streaming In India

Pakistani Content Banned In India: Amidst the escalated tension between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack, followed by 'Operation Sindoor', the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has taken a strict yet significant action. For those unversed, as a strategic response to the monstrous Pahalgam attack on April 22, the Indian government conducted 'Operation Sindoor', a missile attack on Pak terrorist camp, on May 7.

After Pakistani Celebs, Pak Content Banned In India

In the wake of the heinous attack, the central government has ordered all the OTT platforms, streaming devices, and 'intermediaries operating in India' to immediately 'discontinue' streaming of Pakistani content, films, dramas, serials, podcasts, and songs, in India. Recently, Pakistani A-listed celebs like Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, and Hania Aamir among others, faced a 'complete' ban in India over their reactions to Operation Sindoor.

According to I&B's official advisory, released on Thursday (May 8), the move has been taken in the 'interest of national security', including both subscription-based and free OTT platforms.

A part of the advisory, issued by the I&B Ministry, read, "In the interest of national security, all OTT platforms, media streaming platforms and intermediaries operating in India are advised to discontinue the web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content, whether made available on a subscription based model or otherwise, having its origins in Pakistan with immediate effect (sic)."

The ministry also stated that "several terrorist attacks in India have been established to have cross-border linkages with Pakistan-based State and non-State actors".

The ministry invoked the Code of Ethics mentioned in Part III of the Information Technology Rules 2021, that publishers have to adhere to. "Further, rule 3(1)(b) of Part-II of the IT Rules, 2021 provides that intermediaries shall make reasonable efforts by itself, and to cause the users of its computer resource to not host, display, upload, modify, publish, transmit, store, update or share any information that inter-alia "threatens the unity, integrity, defence, security or sovereignty of India, friendly relations with foreign States, or public order, (sic)" the advisory added.