The Modi govt has blocked a documentary shedding light on the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistan separatist, in Canada.
The documentary, produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, accuses Indian agents of involvement in Nijjar's assassination outside a gurdwara in British Columbia last June.
YouTube has removed access to the documentary, titled "Sikhs, Spies, and Murder: Investigating India's Alleged Hit on Foreign Soil," following orders from India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. This action has drawn criticism for stifling freedom of expression.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported facing pressure from Indian authorities during the documentary's production. Instances of Indian intelligence officials questioning reporters and obstructing filming in Punjab underscore the lengths to which the govt is going to suppress this narrative.
Last month, YouTube and X complied with India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's directive to block access to a CBC News story titled "The Fifth Estate," further highlighting a pattern of silencing dissenting voices.
This isn't the first time India has resorted to such measures. The govt previously utilized emergency powers to block a BBC documentary, demonstrating a concerning disregard for press freedom.
YouTube's compliance with Indian authorities extends beyond documentaries; it also blocked a news package related to Nagar's death, covering a meeting between Australian Security Intelligence Organization agents and Sikh activists in Australia.
