Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s Minister for IT, Biotechnology, and Rural Development, expressed disapproval towards the Centre’s online content regulation policies. He highlighted concerns raised in the US Trade Representative’s 2026 National Trade Estimate Report, which pointed out issues with India’s content removal procedures. The report noted an increase in requests from US companies to take down online content and user accounts, which are perceived as politically motivated.
Kharge specifically mentioned that these content removals, as per the IT Rules, are considered non-tariff trade barriers, along with frequent internet shutdowns. He criticized the government for stifling dissent, contrasting it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier statement that “criticism is the soul of democracy.” According to Kharge, critical voices are being suppressed without hesitation, indicating a normalization of dissent suppression.
The Minister also raised concerns about proposed amendments to the IT Rules, 2021, by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). He pointed out that the changes could empower the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to issue blocking orders for news content, even from non-publishers. This move, as per Kharge, would directly control independent voices, raising apprehensions about freedom of expression.
Regarding the BJP’s IT Cell, Kharge alleged that it operates without sufficient oversight, suggesting a lack of accountability. He accused the ruling party of being apprehensive about mounting criticism and attempting to silence dissenting opinions. The Minister also commented on the Kerala elections, criticizing the LDF’s governance as a decade of broken promises and corruption.
