In reaction to various Kashmiris gathered under the banner of K-Twitter, a virtual banner under which hundreds of Kashmiris on Twitter have been expressing themselves, has evoked a major debate on sections of Indian media.
An Indian news television channel, CNN News 18, did a national news segment where they allegedly stated Indian intelligence agencies announcing a major crackdown on social media in Kashmir.
The news anchor said, “sources are indicating that the ISI is devising new hashtag to be relevant on twitter,” stating that “#K-Twitter is an attempt to be active and spread venom against authorities” ”
According to the sources used by CNN News 18, the twitter accounts were linked to “jihadi groups” with major anti-national purposes.
“Pakistan army and ISI have deployed almost 550 people on twitter for Kashmir,” the news anchor said.
CNN New 18, Editor Executive, Anand Narasimhan, took part in the news segment and stated: “if it (Pakistan) cannot win the narrative on the ground (in Kashmir), they will create a lot of misinformation and fake news.”
“(Twitter) handles pushing propaganda against the country,” Anand further alleged.
Kashmiris on twitter rebutted these claims stating #K-Twitter is a short name for Koshur/Kashmiri twitter, which consists of no one but Kashmiris themselves.
Twitter users from Kashmir tweeted that they use twitter to discuss day to day problems and talk about ground realities.
Kashmiri twitter users repeatedly stated that they are not funded from across the border and that such sweeping statements from CNN News 18 were only to delegitimise Kashmiri voices.
K-Twitter has responded to these comments:
One twitter user, Shams Irfan tweeted, “Calling #KTwitter (Kashmiri Twitter) part of Pakistani propaganda is not only foolish but dangerous too. These paid stenographers who pose as journalists, are out to malign #Kashmiris for a purpose. Beware!!”
Calling #KTwitter (Kashmiri Twitter) part of Pakistani propaganda is not only foolish but dangerous too. These paid stenographers who pose as journalists, are out to malign #Kashmiris for a purpose. Beware!!
— Shams Irfan (@ShamsIrfan27) July 11, 2020
Another Twitter user, SundusMalik tweeted, “First they denied our realities saying our protests are funded by Pakistan, now the are demeaning and denying our virtual realities too! #KTwitter is bunch of people from kashmir who are on twitter nothing less, nothing more. #CNNNews18Apologize now!”
First they denied our realities saying our protests are funded by Pakistan, now the are demeaning and denying our virtual realities too! #KTwitter is bunch of people from kashmir who are on twitter nothing less , nothing more. #CNNNews18Apologize now!@CNNnews18 , @islahmufti
— Sun (@SundusMallik) July 11, 2020
Another Twitter user, Letter to Youth wrote, “Don’t defame our #KTwitter family, we are not ISI agents, we are oppressed Kashmiris who are determined to expose the plots & conspiracies hatched by regime against us. We are just demanding our basic rights __ Freedom, peace, dignity & justice are our birth rights.”
Thread :KTF
Don't defame our #KTwitter family, we are not ISI agents, we are oppressed Kashmiris who are determined to expose the plots & conspiracies hatched by regime against us. We are just demanding our basic rights __ Freedom, peace, dignity & justice are our birth rights. pic.twitter.com/hEd6xjl1ZO— LETTER TO YOUTH (@LetterYouth) July 11, 2020
Another Kashmir twitter user, Kahwa Kashmir wrote “#cnnNews18 is spreading propaganda post 5th August. K-Twitter is not a conspiracy, it is an assertion of Kashmir’s sentiments. #Kashmir“.
#cnnNews18 is spreading propaganda post 5th August. K-Twitter is not a conspiracy, it is an assertion of Kashmir’s sentiments. #Kashmir
— Kehwa (@KehwaKashmir) July 11, 2020