Srinagar | November 5: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Waheed-ur-Rehman Para on Tuesday raised serious concerns over the Jammu and Kashmir administration’s decision to revive a social-media monitoring policy, questioning its intent and timing.
Para said the new directives contradict the spirit of the recently held elections, which, according to him, were fought on promises of openness and restoration of democratic space in the region.
“Elections in Jammu and Kashmir were meant to end suffocation and fear. Instead, we are witnessing renewed orders to monitor and restrict social media. This reflects a troubling attempt to police public opinion and silence voices,” Para said in a statement.
The PDP leader argued that imposing such surveillance-driven measures only in J&K raises questions about equality and democratic fairness, claiming that similar policies are not being enforced elsewhere in the country.
He urged the government, especially the Chief Minister—who also holds the Information Department portfolio—to clarify the scope and legal basis of the monitoring policy, and to ensure that journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens do not face intimidation for expressing their views online.
Para said that social-media platforms serve as an important space for public discourse, and monitoring them selectively could further erode trust between citizens and the administration.
Meanwhile, officials have not yet issued a formal comment on the concerns raised by the PDP.
