India blocks Pakistan-based OTT platform Vidly TV for 'anti-India' portrayal
text_fields
New Delhi: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting blocked Pakistan-based OTT platform Vidly TV for portraying "anti-India narrative on sensitive historical events", India Today reports.
Invoking the emergency powers of the IT Rules 2021, I&B blocked a website, two mobile applications, four social media accounts and one smart TV app of Vidly TV.
Punitive action follows a web-series titled "Sevak released by Vidly TV which according to the report that quoted I&B is "detrimental to national security, defence, sovereignty, integrity and public order".
The first of the three episodes so far was released on 26.11.2022 that fell on the anniversary of the terror attacks on Mumbai in 2008
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also found the web-series harmful to "India's friendly relations with foreign states".
"The web-series portrayed an anti-India narrative on sensitive historical events and subjects of national importance, like the Operation Blue Star and its aftermath, the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, the killing of a Christian missionary - Graham Staines, the Malegaon blasts, the Samjhauta Express blasts, the inter-state river water dispute related to Sutlej Yamuna Link canal and others" the ministry reportedly said.
The web-series, according to the report, was sponsored by the Pakistan's information operations apparatus.
