Budgam resident jailed over social media posts
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Indian police have detained a Budgam resident for allegedly sharing “radical” content on social media, with civil society groups flagging it as another instance of curbs on freedom of expression in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the detained has been identified as Siraj Nabi Parray, resident of Archanderhama, Magam in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
Officials said that during scrutiny of his account, posts, images and other digital material “having radical and anti-India overtones” were noticed. The material, they claimed, included glorification of individuals associated with militancy and “propagation of extremist” viewpoints.
Parray was produced before the Executive Magistrate 1st Class and proceedings under Section 126/170 BNSS were initiated. On the orders of the magistrate, he was remanded to judicial custody and lodged in Central Jail Srinagar from 08 August 2026 to 17 August 2026.
Police said examination of his digital device and social media activity is underway to ascertain sources and linkages.
Rights observers said the action reflects the growing crackdown on online speech in Kashmir, where vague charges and preventive detention are increasingly being used against social media users. They argued that while security concerns exist, such measures risk further shrinking the space for dissent and free expression.
