India’s Disinformation Campaign: A Persistent Assault on Truth and International Norms
The Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR) has condemned India’s persistent use of disinformation as a strategic weapon, highlighting its corrosive impact on democratic institutions, international opinion, and the principles of international law. The organization points to a pattern of deceptive practices employed by India to manipulate narratives, discredit adversaries, and obscure its human rights record in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir. The JKCHR argues that this sophisticated disinformation campaign, exposed in part by the EU DisinfoLab in 2020, represents a grave threat to global accountability and multilateralism.
The EU DisinfoLab’s investigation, known as the "India Chronicles," unveiled a vast network of NGOs, media outlets, and fabricated think tanks operating for over 15 years to advance Indian state interests. This network, employing impersonated identities and even deceased individuals, disseminated pro-India propaganda while simultaneously undermining Pakistan and the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination. Disturbingly, this disinformation campaign infiltrated esteemed international forums, including the UN Human Rights Council and the European Parliament, exposing a critical vulnerability in institutional verification procedures.
The JKCHR emphasizes that India’s disinformation strategy goes beyond mere geopolitical maneuvering; it is a calculated attempt to whitewash its actions in Kashmir. By inundating international platforms with fabricated narratives, India seeks to suppress legitimate concerns about human rights abuses and the denial of self-determination in the region. The organization argues that the damage inflicted extends beyond reputational harm to a profound moral injury, as the Kashmiri cause is undermined not by the strength of India’s arguments, but by the sheer volume and virality of its falsehoods. The exposure of this campaign, according to the JKCHR, has stripped India of any credible claim to transparency and respect for international norms.
This pattern of deceptive practices continued in May 2025, during a brief military confrontation with Pakistan. Indian media propagated fabricated accounts of military victories, falsely claiming the occupation of major Pakistani cities. Pakistan’s swift and decisive response not only debunked these claims but also exposed the fragility of India’s strategic narrative. This incident further eroded the credibility of Indian media, both domestically and internationally, and highlighted the dangers of wartime propaganda, which risked escalating tensions and misinforming a vast population.
The JKCHR argues that India’s repeated reliance on disinformation warrants serious international scrutiny and potential action under the United Nations Charter. The organization cites Articles 3, 4, 5, and 6, which address the admission, suspension, and expulsion of member states, emphasizing the need for accountability for such blatant violations of international norms. The JKCHR calls upon the international community to implement stronger institutional safeguards, enhance verification protocols in international forums, and reaffirm its commitment to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter.
In conclusion, the JKCHR paints a stark picture of India’s strategic use of disinformation as a tool of manipulation and suppression. The organization warns that this behavior poses a significant threat to global stability and undermines the integrity of international institutions. The JKCHR’s call for greater scrutiny and potential action under the UN Charter underscores the urgency of addressing this issue and holding states accountable for their actions in the digital age. The organization emphasizes the need for a collective effort to combat disinformation and uphold the principles of truth, accountability, and respect for international law. The international community, the JKCHR argues, cannot afford to remain passive in the face of such blatant disregard for established norms.