New Delhi: The Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an organisation affiliated with the RSS, marched in New Delhi on Friday against Elon Musk's Starlink, citing national security and digital sovereignty.
According to the organisation, the march began at 11 a.m. in the Chanakyapuri area. It urged the government to block Starlink's commercial satellite broadband launch.
The outfit argued that Starlink's network could complicate internet shutdowns and lawful interception during security emergencies. It also voiced concern that, with control of the satellite-based service resting overseas, domestic regulation of it could become difficult.
The march comes as the process to start Starlink's commercial service in India moves ahead. Foreign satellite internet services have already been the subject of objections from some security agencies. The government has not yet announced a final position on the matter.
The organisation argues that a satellite internet network controlled from overseas makes it harder to enforce internet shutdown orders during emergencies. It also voiced concern that, with traffic potentially routed from outside India, lawful interception and monitoring become difficult. In its view, the government should weigh every angle before granting permission so that domestic communication security is not affected. The march came amid objections from security agencies, and the group demanded a push to build domestic satellite communication capacity. Office-bearers said a large volume of data could flow out of the country through satellite internet, raising questions of data sovereignty as well. Members and office-bearers of the organisation joined the march in large numbers. Starlink's India rollout will depend on clearances and security reviews.