Indian media outlets are being trolled on social media after alleging that a Pakistani social media network was active during ongoing protests in Delhi, with users mocking the recurring claims of Pakistan’s involvement in unrest in India.
The criticism followed an Indian news broadcast claiming that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had activated social media accounts to circulate fake news and videos during the protests. The broadcast alleged that accounts operating from Pakistan were spreading misleading information to create unrest in the Indian capital.
Several social media users said that they expected Indian media to link the protests to Pakistan, while others questioned the evidence behind the claims and accused Indian media of using Pakistan to deflect attention from domestic political issues.
“I was waiting for the Pakistan link,” one user wrote, while another asked, “Why is this government so predictable?”
“Whenever BJP goes in trouble Pakistan comes to rescue,” another comment read.
One person criticised the pattern of blaming Pakistan during protests against the government, writing, “Every protest against this government and the Pakistan angle is started by the govt and Godi Media when it’s losing.”
Another one wrote, “Godi media, blaming BJPs failure on any other country is equally pathetic. When UPA was in power, BJP blamed Congress and Manmohan Singh for failure and now some other country. Shame on BJP”
Others responded sarcastically to the reports, with one commenting, “Oh kindly share list of those accounts soo we can block them”. One post said, “People were expecting it and Godi media didn’t let them down”, while a separate comment read, “Was waiting for this”.
Questioning the scale of the alleged Pakistani involvement, one user asked, “Same story everytime??? Is Pakistan a superpower?”
Another wrote, “Indian media gets all the likes views in the name of Pakistan,” while a third said, “No news in India without mentioning of Pakistan”.
Others accused Indian media of spreading misinformation and disinformation. “Indian media is big source of misinformation and disinformation,” one comment read, while another simply stated, “Pakistan is everywhere.”
“A dirty blame game by Godi media, what else,” said one post while another commented, “Nice joke”.
A post tagging India Today also challenged the broadcaster’s claims, arguing that the activity of one account did not establish a coordinated network or prove links between Pakistan and opposition parties.
Another user questioned why the reports did not identify the accounts in question, writing, “Please share the names of the account of this fake handles in social media – that is much better reporting. Are you aware you can ask social media sites to close Pakistan accounts to be restricted in India. Had been done earlier by government before cases. Youth is being beaten is not fake news – you can be sued for trying to do psychological operations via this toolkit news excuse.”
The comments also included sarcastic remarks about the recurring Pakistan angle. “The whole of India is running on Pakistan’s name,” one user observed, while another remarked, “Thank you #Pakistan without Pakistan #India wouldn’t exist”.
“Modi is suffering from Pakistani paranoia,” another comment read.
One user summed up the reaction in Roman, writing, “People in Pakistan must also be thinking that a long time has passed without India accusing them of anything.”
The original reports alleged that false claims circulated during the protests included a post on October 10 claiming that 13 young people had died in Delhi Police firing at Jantar Mantar. The broadcast also described as fake a claim that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had been injured and police had opened fire during a Congress protest.
Other claims cited in the broadcast included allegations that the Indian Army had entered Delhi, shops had closed and police were beating young protesters.
Separately, Delhi Police registered four FIRs [First Information Report] against social media handles allegedly spreading misinformation and rumours about the protests on October 13. Police sources said that several Pakistan-based accounts were under scrutiny, while officials added that several accounts had been deactivated.
