RSS economic wing urges Centre to deny Starlink licence over security concerns
The Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an economic wing of the RSS, has urged the Indian government to deny Starlink a commercial license. They cite national security concerns regarding the potential inability to shut down internet services during civil unrest and the use of satellite laser links that bypass domestic gateways.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between global satellite internet providers and national governments over regulatory control, data sovereignty, and the ability to enforce internet blackouts.
Citing the need to curtail internet services during riots, terrorism-related incidents and other law-and-order situations, Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), the economic wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), on Tuesday (October 13, 2026) urged the Union government to deny Elon Musk-owned Starlink permission to launch commercial satellite broadband services in India.
In a statement, SJM national co-convenor Ashwani Mahajan said internet services sometimes need to be suspended during such situations to prevent the spread of rumours and inflammatory content on social media. The organisation questioned whether Starlink’s technology would allow services to be restricted in specific areas at the government’s direction.
“Currently, India is grappling with various law-and-order challenges. In such situations, internet-based social media often fuels rumours and anti-national narratives. Disrupting internet services frequently becomes essential to maintain law and order during instances of separatism, terrorism, riots, protests, and similar events,” he said.
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