Taking cognisance of concerns raised by members across party lines over alleged online smear campaigns, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Thursday assured that a separate half-an-hour discussion will be held on the issue during the ongoing budget session.
The matter was raised in the House amid allegations that fake social media accounts and politically motivated handles were circulating defamatory content and misleading videos against elected representatives, thereby harming their reputation and undermining the dignity of the Assembly.
Earlier, the government informed the House that a dedicated media monitoring cell has been set up in the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to track and counter fake and misleading information in real time. Replying to a starred question by MLA R.S. Pathania, Education Minister Sakeena Itoo said the DIPR issued 28 rebuttals related to fake news and misinformation between April 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026 — 20 through press releases and eight via official social media handles.
She said the monitoring cell continuously scans websites, news channels and social media platforms and issues rebuttals whenever misleading content is detected. However, she clarified that regulating or suspending websites, digital platforms, online news channels or private fact-checking units does not fall within the department’s jurisdiction. Similarly, imposing fines on individuals or organisations for spreading fake news is also outside its purview.
On cyber security preparedness, the minister said multiple layers of safeguards have been introduced to strengthen the digital infrastructure across government departments. She added that all departments have designated nodal officers to monitor fake news related to their respective sectors.
National Conference legislators as well as BJP leaders Sham Lal Sharma and Balwant Singh Mankotia supported the demand for a detailed discussion, calling it a serious issue and alleging sustained attempts by certain elements to tarnish the image of legislators and the House.
With several members demanding accountability against those operating fake accounts and spreading defamatory material, the Speaker directed that the issue be listed separately for detailed deliberation.
“The concern raised by the members, in my view, is the concern of the entire House… every day someone’s dignity is being tarnished,” Itoo said, urging action against offenders and calling for self-introspection among politicians.
Senior BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma said all 90 members of the House have been subjected to abusive and unparliamentary language online and stressed that legislators should be allowed to focus on public issues.
BJP members also raised objections over the reported entry of a three-time former MLA into the Assembly complex despite not being a current member, and claimed multiple FIRs had been registered against him. Without naming anyone, they questioned how such access was being allowed. The Speaker said he had taken note of the matter and urged protesting members to return to their seats.
Earlier in the day, Food and Supplies Minister Satish Sharma apologised for his remarks against Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma and BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma made during a debate earlier this week.
