RSS affiliate SJM announces Delhi protest march against Starlink on Friday

The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has announced a protest march against Elon Musk’s Starlink in New Delhi on Friday, taking its campaign against the satellite internet provider to the streets. (https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rss-affiliate-sjm-protest-delhi-elon-musk-starlink-national-security-10932334/)

The march will begin from Teen Murti Chowk in Chanakyapuri at 11 am and will be held under the banner of concerns over “national security and digital sovereignty”, an SJM official said. (https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rss-affiliate-sjm-protest-delhi-elon-musk-starlink-national-security-10932334/)

“The protest aims to raise public awareness and express concerns regarding national security, data sovereignty, dependence on foreign digital infrastructure, and the potential implications for India’s indigenous telecommunications and technology sectors,” the SJM said, adding that the demonstration would advocate “digital self-reliance”. (https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rss-affiliate-sjm-protest-delhi-elon-musk-starlink-national-security-10932334/)

The announcement escalates a campaign the SJM launched earlier this month urging the Centre to deny Starlink permission to roll out commercial satellite broadband services. The group argues that Starlink’s satellite-based architecture could challenge India’s ability to impose geographically targeted internet restrictions and undertake lawful interception, noting that incumbent telecom operators cooperate with security agencies and can suspend services in affected areas when directed. (https://indianexpress.com/article/india/rss-affiliate-sjm-protest-delhi-elon-musk-starlink-national-security-10932334/)