‘Fake videos being circulated from political handles too’
*BJP MLAs seek action against Harshdev, withdrawal of award
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 12: Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather today assured discussion in the House on the issue of fake news after several MLAs including those from ruling National Conference voiced concern over the issue saying image of some persons is being tarnished daily.
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The Speaker also assured agitated BJP MLAs including Sham Lal Sharma and Balwant Singh Mankotia that he will examine their issue and take appropriate action after they pointed out that a former Minister held protest carrying placards in the Assembly premises alleging that Mankotia used hawala money during elections. Without naming Harshdev Singh, Mankotia demanded that the ‘Best Legislator Award’ given to the former Minister should be withdrawn.
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Raising supplementary to his written question, BJP MLA RS Pathania said the fake news through online media has been damaging reputation of many and he besides BJP MLA Pawan Gupta were also victims of this as their doctored videos were circulated from Congress handle.
“The Government has neither closed any channel nor imposed any penalty on online smear campaigns. Some of them are spreading poison. The Government should take action,’’ Pathania said.
Intervening, the Speaker said such type of complaints are often coming. “The Government should activate the Enforcement wing and come down heavily on the campaign,’’ he added.
NC MLA Nazir Gurezi said a video was circulated that three political leaders have charged money for appointment. It was removed after the court direction. He demanded that a discussion should be held in the House on this issue.
Sakina Itoo, who replied to the main question on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who holds charge of the Information Department, said the videos are being circulated from the accounts of political people tarnishing image of the people
With members demanding accountability for those operating fake accounts and spreading defamatory material, the Speaker directed the matter be listed separately for detailed discussion during the ongoing session.
“The concern raised by the members, in my view, is the concern of the entire House as every day, someone’s dignity is being tarnished,” Sakina Itoo said.
“I sincerely request that action should be taken against them, and they should be punished,” she said, also urging politicians to self-introspect.
Senior BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma said, “I can show proof that all 90 members sitting inside this House have been subjected to certain kinds of abusive and unparliamentary language. We are constantly being targeted with unparliamentary remarks. We have come here to discuss important public issues,” Sharma said.
In the meantime, Sham Sharma raised the issue of three-time MLA sitting on dharna in the Assembly premises saying this has set wrong precedent and the House should be concerned. Without naming Harshdev Singh, he said 12 FIRs have been registered against the former MLA and submitted copy of the FIRs to the Speaker.
“He was defeated thrice. Then he blamed counting. What is our fault? He has been given the best legislator award. The House should take notice of this,’’ Sham said.
BJP MLA from Chenani Balwant Singh Mankotia, who defeated Harshdev Singh, his cousin, in 2024 Assembly elections, said how the ex-MLA managed to reach the Assembly premises when daily rated workers are being stopped from entering the Secretariat for protests.
“He has charged me with using hawala money in the elections. He has been misbehaving with officers, politicians. How he reached the Assembly premises when the session is on. The best legislator award given to him should be withdrawn,’’ Mankotia said and demanded that a direction should go to the security agencies.
The Speaker assured that he will definitely examine the issue and take appropriate action.
Meanwhile, the Government informed the Assembly that a dedicated media monitoring cell has been established 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, the Government said the DIPR issued 28 rebuttals related to fake news and misinformation from April 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026. Of these, 20 were issued through press releases and eight through the department’s official social media handles.
“The media monitoring cell continuously scans websites, news channels and social media platforms, and promptly issues rebuttals upon identifying misleading content,’’ the Government said, adding that regulation or suspension of websites, digital platforms, online news channels or private fact checking units (FCUs) does not fall within the scope of the Information Department.
It said all Government departments have designated nodal officers to monitor department-specific fake news while imposition of fines against individuals, organisations or corporate entities for spreading fake news does not come under the purview of the Information Department.
Regarding cyber security preparedness, the Government said comprehensive multi-layered measures have been undertaken to strengthen digital infrastructure across departments.
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