The RSS-affiliated Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) urged the Union government on Tuesday to block Elon Musk’s Starlink from entering India. The influential economic group petitioned the Ministry of Communications to withhold commercial satellite broadband licenses. SJM argued that foreign satellite constellations threaten India’s national security and communication sovereignty.
The demand arrived amid escalating tensions over Starlink’s delayed regulatory clearances in New Delhi. SJM national co-convener Ashwani Mahajan stated that satellite networks bypass conventional domestic telecom filters. According to policy statements reported by The Indian Express, the organisation urged authorities to prioritize domestic telecom sovereignty. Therefore, the swadeshi outfit asked policymakers to reject Starlink’s commercial operating petition outright.
Satellite Broadband Poses Surveillance and Security Hurdles
The affiliate body highlighted critical law-and-order concerns to justify its call for a ban. Mahajan argued that direct-to-consumer satellite internet severely restricts lawful state monitoring. Furthermore, he noted that authorities often need to enforce localized internet shutdowns during street riots or separatist unrest.
Recent mass protests in the national capital underscored these administrative challenges. SJM warned that unregulated satellite bandwidth could allow hostile actors to spread disinformation during public emergencies. Detailed coverage by Hindustan Times highlighted that Starlink’s orbital nodes operate outside state gateway monitoring. Consequently, security agencies could struggle to enforce lawful data interception rules during public emergencies.
RSS Body Slams Musk Over Public Pressure Tactics
The economic forum also strongly rebuked Elon Musk for his recent combative comments on social media. Musk had publicly accused domestic telecom conglomerates of colluding with regulators to block Starlink.
Mahajan alleged that Musk launched aggressive public campaigns out of commercial frustration. In addition, the SJM noted that Starlink appears unwilling to meet India’s mandatory data-localization requirements. The group cited historical precedents, recalling India’s earlier restrictions on Chinese telecom vendors Huawei and ZTE. As a result, the swadeshi lobby urged the government to resist foreign corporate lobbying.
Call to Protect Domestic Space-Tech and Counter US Tariffs
Beyond immediate security concerns, the SJM framed its opposition around domestic industrial growth. The forum insisted that blocking Starlink will create crucial market room for Indian space-tech ventures. Domestic initiatives led by ISRO and private aerospace startups can connect remote border regions reliably.
Moreover, the group linked its demand to international trade disputes with Washington. Mahajan argued that the United States routinely slaps punitive tariffs on Indian handicrafts citing national security. Therefore, India possesses every sovereign right to bar American tech firms under identical security criteria. While global satellite providers wait for spectrum guidelines, political opposition from swadeshi organizations creates fresh hurdles for Musk’s Indian expansion.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
