Srinagar: PDP leader Waheed Ur Rehman Para on Wednesday criticized the Jammu and Kashmir government’s move to reintroduce social media monitoring orders, saying it undermines the spirit of the recently held elections.
In a post on X, Para said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had voted to end “silence and fear,” not to face renewed restrictions on free expression. He questioned why such monitoring was being enforced only in J&K, calling it unfair and discriminatory.
“The people voted for dignity and the freedom to speak. Yet, new directives have been issued to track and limit online activity — measures not implemented anywhere else in the country,” Para wrote.
He urged the Chief Minister, who also oversees the Information Department, to clarify the government’s stance on the issue. “It is important to know what the Chief Minister thinks about these new measures,” he said.
Para further stated that using “vigilance” and “monitoring” as administrative tools was effectively silencing journalists and dissenting voices, eroding public trust and contradicting the promise of open governance.
Calling for greater transparency and accountability, Para said that the purpose of the elections was to rebuild confidence among people — not to create another form of silence.
