SJM urges Centre to block Starlink’s rollout

NEW DELHI: RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) on Tuesday urged the Centre to block Starlink’s commercial rollout, questioning whether Elon Musk’s satellite broadband service could ensure that Indian traffic passes through domestic gateways and comply with orders to restrict connectivity in specified areas.SJM national co-convener Ashwani Mahajan said the concerns involved India’s capacity to monitor communications lawfully and enforce security restrictions. It argued that laser links between satellites could allow traffic to bypass Indian ground infrastructure and travel through foreign networks.“A key regulatory condition is that Starlink must be able to precisely restrict its services at the govt’s behest,” SJM said. It questioned whether the company could meet this requirement, citing terrorism, riots and protests as situations in which authorities may seek local shutdowns.At issue, in SJM’s argument, is whether Indian authorities can enforce security directives on a foreign operator whose network extends beyond the country’s physical borders. SJM contrasted this with incumbent telecom companies which, it said, cooperate with investigators and can suspend services in designated areas.The group accused Musk of applying public pressure instead of addressing Indian security concerns. Its intervention follows his allegation that “certain oligarchs” were blocking Starlink to protect their businesses and his criticism of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.SJM also flagged potential misuse by insurgents and smugglers. Starlink equipment was recovered during a drug seizure in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and an army search operation in Manipur in 2024. Musk has maintained that Starlink’s satellite beams were never activated over India.Starlink received a telecom licence on June 6, 2025, and authorisation from space regulator IN-SPACe on July 8 that year. Its commercial launch awaits completion of security assessments and spectrum assignment.On Oct 8, the communications ministry rejected the discrimination allegations as “baseless and misconceived”, saying Starlink, Jio’s satellite venture and Bharti-backed OneWeb were at broadly the same regulatory stage. Each must demonstrate security compliance before seeking spectrum, it said.Starlink has previously said Indian user data would remain within the country and its security controls would meet Indian requirements.Arguing for indigenous alternatives, SJM claimed blocking Starlink would accelerate domestic satellite broadband development and eventually deliver cheaper connectivity to remote areas. It said India’s growing space capabilities and private sector participation could support domestic alternatives, even if their rollout took some more time. It also invoked US trade restrictions, arguing India was entitled to withhold permission on national security grounds.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.