Jammu, Feb 12: Responding to growing concern across party lines, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Thursday assured members that a separate half-an-hour discussion would be scheduled during the ongoing Budget session to deliberate on the issue of alleged social media smear campaigns targeting legislators.
The matter was raised in the House amid serious allegations that fake social media accounts and politically motivated digital platforms were circulating defamatory content, distorted videos and misleading narratives against elected representatives. Several members argued that such campaigns not only damage individual reputations but also undermine the dignity and credibility of the Legislative Assembly as an institution.
The Speaker took note of the sentiments expressed by members and directed that the issue be listed separately for detailed discussion, acknowledging that concerns about online defamation and misinformation affect the functioning of the House as a whole.
Earlier in the session, the government informed the Assembly that a dedicated media monitoring cell has been established within the Directorate of Information and Public Relations to track and respond to fake and misleading information in real time. Replying to a starred question raised by MLA R S Pathania, Education Minister Sakeena Itoo stated that between April 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026, the department issued 28 rebuttals related to fake news and misinformation. Of these, 20 were issued through official press releases while eight were disseminated via the department’s social media handles.
The minister said the media monitoring cell continuously scans websites, television channels and social media platforms to identify misleading content and promptly issue clarifications. However, she clarified that the regulation or suspension of websites, digital platforms, online news channels or private fact-checking units does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Information Department. Similarly, imposing fines or punitive measures against individuals or organisations spreading misinformation lies outside its mandate.
Itoo further informed the House that all government departments have designated nodal officers to monitor and report fake news specific to their sectors. On cyber security preparedness, she said comprehensive and multi-layered measures have been adopted to strengthen digital infrastructure across departments.
The issue drew support from legislators cutting across party lines. National Conference members as well as BJP MLAs Sham Lal Sharma and Balwant Singh Mankotia pressed for an urgent and structured discussion, describing the matter as a serious attempt to tarnish the image of elected representatives and the Assembly. Members expressed concern that abusive and defamatory language circulating online was eroding public discourse and lowering standards of political engagement.
“I believe this concern is the concern of the entire House. Every day, someone’s dignity is being tarnished,” Minister Itoo remarked, urging that those responsible for spreading defamatory content be held accountable. At the same time, she called for introspection among political leaders to uphold decorum in public life.
Senior BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma claimed that all 90 members of the Assembly had been subjected to abusive and unparliamentary language on digital platforms. He asserted that legislators were being consistently targeted while attempting to discharge their responsibilities of debating public issues.
During the proceedings, BJP legislators also raised objections over the entry of a former MLA into the Assembly complex, questioning the circumstances and demanding clarity. The Speaker acknowledged the concern and urged members to return to their seats, assuring that the matter had been noted.
In a related development, Food and Supplies Minister Satish Sharma tendered an apology in the House for remarks made earlier in the week against Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma and BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma.
With online misinformation and defamatory content emerging as a growing challenge in the digital era, the forthcoming discussion in the Assembly is expected to examine both institutional safeguards and broader responsibilities in maintaining the dignity of democratic discourse in Jammu and Kashmir.