“Such complaints come up frequently and member (BJP MLA RS Pathania) has rightly pointed out the need to strengthen and activate the enforcement wing because it is the question of someone’s honour and dignity. Several members last year and this year as well raised this issue of fake news,” he told the House after treasury and opposition benches expressed concern over the issue.
The issue was raised in the House amid allegations that fake social media accounts and politically motivated handles were circulating defamatory content and misleading videos against elected representatives, damaging their reputation and undermining the dignity of the House.
Responding to a question by Pathania, education minister Sakina Itoo said, “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”.
She said that the department of information and public relations has 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.
She said the media monitoring cell continuously scans websites, news channels and social media platforms, and promptly issues rebuttals upon identifying misleading content.
However, the minister said 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.
Itoo 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.
BJP members Sham Lal Sharma and Balwant Singh Mankotia also supported Pathania, pressing the chair to permit a discussion on what they described as a “serious issue,” alleging sustained attempts by certain elements to tarnish the image of legislators and the House.
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… every day, someone’s dignity is being tarnished,” 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.
Earlier, Pathania said that only 28 rebuttals by DIPR were not enough.
“Is there any coordination mechanism between various departments including police and CID because fake news on Faceback, IG and Youtube has damaged social fabric, flow of information and governance,” he said.
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.
NC’s Nazir Gurezi drew the attention of the speaker to one such smear campaign against him and the speaker.
“Speaker sir, there is your name and my name in one such fake news wherein you have been accused of taking ₹1 crore for jobs and I have been accused of ₹25 lakhs. I appeal for a debate on this issue followed up with a mechanism in place to take to task those indulging in false propaganda,” he said.
Amid the debate, the education minister, however, had appealed to all the members to do some self-introspection.
“We politicians are responsible for all this. It has become an everyday routine to defame opponents,” she said.
The BJP legislators also raised the issue of three-time former MLA and former education minister Harsh Dev Singh being allowed entry to the assembly complex despite not being a present member of the House.
Without naming him but apparently referring to Harsh Dev Singh, Balwant Singh Mankotia said that around dozen FIRs have been registered against the former legislator, who was once recognised with an award for the best legislator.
Mankotia questioned how a former MLA was allowed access to the legislative assembly secretariat when the House was in session.
The speaker said he has taken note of it, urging BJP MLAs to return their seats.
Draft new media policy 2026 under consultation
The government on Thursday clarified that regulation of websites, digital platforms and online news channels does not fall within the mandate of the Information Department.
In view of the growing influence of new social media platforms, the government said that suitable provisions have been proposed in the draft new media policy-2026 to create a regulatory framework covering new and social media along with print media.
The draft policy is currently under inter-departmental consultation for finalization.
Over 1,400 illegal structures razed in J&K since Oct 2024
A total of 1,425 illegal structures, including residential, have been razed across Jammu and Kashmir since the formation of the National Conference-led government in October 2024.
The demolished properties included the house of social media journalist Arfaz Ahmad Daing in Jammu.
The government stated in the assembly that due procedure under the J&K Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1988, and other relevant laws were followed prior to the action.
On the demolition of Daing’s house by the JDA, Daing in his written statement submitted on November 19, 2025, had stated that he has no connection with the said land or property. The demolition drive was conducted only after due verifications from the concerned revenue authorities and after following due procedures, the reply stated.
The demolished structures included 1,194 residential and 231 commercial buildings, with Srinagar accounting for the highest number — 1,133 structures, including 119 commercial establishments.
Jammu district recorded 237 demolitions, including 75 commercial structures, carried out by Jammu Development Authority, Jammu Municipal Corporation and revenue authorities followed by 19 in Ramban district by National Highway Authority of India, 10 in Anantnag by Pahalgam Development Authority, seven in Kathua and four in Shopian.
