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.
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. The statement comes amid protests in the national capital by various organisations over alleged irregularities in the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) exercise and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
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. Disrupting internet services frequently becomes essential to maintain law and order during instances of separatism, terrorism, riots, protests, and similar events,” he said. During recent hearings in petitions related to illegal detentions and curtailment of public movement during protests, the Supreme Court too has recently ordered the government that “internet facilities should function unhindered”.
Mr. Mahajan also raised concerns over Starlink’s use of laser links, which allow satellites to transmit data directly to one another before it reaches a ground station. “Moreover, it’s feared that satellite internet could be used by hostile actors, smugglers or insurgent groups to communicate beyond conventional telecom networks. Unauthorised terminals have been found operating near sensitive borders and conflict zones. It also highlighted the cooperation between telecom operators and security agencies.
SJM said Indian authorities needed assurances that domestic internet traffic would pass through gateways within the country rather than bypassing them through foreign infrastructure, potentially complicating lawful monitoring. Security agencies have even recovered Starlink equipment in several investigations,” said SJM. Defending India’s existing telecommunication infrastructure, the organisation said domestic mobile and broadband networks provide affordable connectivity and can be restricted when required by authorities.
