Indian national at centre of Pakistan’s misinformation network
- In Reports
- 07:47 PM, Apr 29, 2024
- Myind Staff
Groups like Hindutva Watch and India Hate Lab, along with similar portals, are alleged to be orchestrated by the Pakistani deep state. According to these claims, foreign-based research organizations funded by various branches of the Pakistani deep state are enlisting Indian expatriates in Western countries to operate these platforms. The primary objective appears to be disseminating misinformation about India on an international scale.
The presence of Indian individuals within these groups and portals is purportedly aimed at lending credibility to their narratives regarding purported increases in hate within India. According to intelligence agencies monitoring these groups and portals, the research conducted by them is subsequently given broader visibility and perceived legitimacy by members of mainstream media based in Washington.
Assessments and evidence reviewed by The Sunday Guardian regarding certain portals and groups like "Hindutva Watch" and "India Hate Lab" indicate that they were conceived and established by prominent figures associated with Pakistan's deep state, including the India-centric Jamaat-e-Islami. Intelligence investigations reveal that Hindutva Watch first appeared on their radar in 2019 with the launch of a Twitter account under that name, followed by the creation of a website. For four years, it operated anonymously without disclosing the identities of those behind it.
In January 2023, Raqib Hameed Naik, an Indian national from Doda district, Jammu and Kashmir, asserted in an interview with a Western media outlet that he was the individual operating the site. However, evidence reviewed by The Sunday Guardian contradicts this claim. The publication of Naik's statements by the media outlet without verifying the information against easily accessible facts on the internet indicates either a deliberate effort to bolster the disinformation campaign against India or a lapse in thorough research and fact-checking.
According to publicly available information, after obtaining his Master's degree in India, Naik pursued further studies in journalism in the UK. Upon his return, Naik's name was allegedly endorsed and recommended by entities associated with the Pakistani deep state to global media outlets, purportedly to amplify his "anti-India" narrative on a global scale.
In 2020, Naik reportedly faced scrutiny from Indian security agencies regarding his perceived inflammatory and unsubstantiated anti-India remarks in the global media. Subsequently, Naik departed India and relocated to the United States without encountering any apparent obstacles. It's noteworthy that the US maintains stringent policies regarding the admission of foreign nationals. According to intelligence agencies, following his relocation, Naik was purportedly encouraged by his handlers to reveal his involvement with the two anti-India portals.
According to information, investigating agencies assert that the two websites were managed by handlers based in Pakistan long before Naik falsely claimed responsibility for them.
Hindutva Watch was allegedly overseen by Sardar Adil Kayani, identified as an anti-India operative who also engages in propaganda for Pakistan's PML-N party. The content disseminated on the site is purportedly rife with misinformation and fabricated news, aimed at stoking communal tensions in India.
Upon learning that Indian agencies had uncovered the origins of Hindutva Watch, the Pakistani deep state reportedly initiated another project called "India Hate Lab." This endeavour purportedly aimed to target India with a more sophisticated approach. In January of this year, India Hate Lab allegedly propagated disinformation by misrepresenting a Statista report, falsely claiming that India ranked first in misinformation and disinformation.
Kayani is identified as a prominent figure in anti-Indian propaganda, having launched a "signature campaign" on Change.org in 2017 advocating for a "Free Kashmir." He is also reported to collaborate closely with another covert arm of Pakistan's deep state, "Global Village Space."
Information reviewed by The Sunday Guardian indicates that Naik was closely associated with the prominent Pakistani Jamaat front in the US, Justice For All (JFA), founded by Jamaat leader Abdul Malik Mujahid. Notably, JFA also owns Muslim Network TV.
According to these sources, prior to his relocation to the US, Naik worked closely with portals affiliated with an information warfare network operated by Jamaat loyalists, suggesting that he was being groomed for a significant role by these information warfare handlers. Upon settling in the US, Naik allegedly received support from the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) and Justice For All (JFA), both of which have established connections with Pakistan's radical Islamic groups and deep state. These groups purportedly utilise their resources to influence the United States Commission of Religious Freedom (USCIRF), with Naik being enlisted as a tool in these efforts.
A documentary highlighting the content and individuals associated with Hindutva Watch was released by a Singapore-based entity, directed and produced by a filmmaker of Pakistani origin based in the US, known for their anti-India stance. Efforts to obtain a response from Naik and the portals regarding this report via email yielded no immediate reply. In December 2021, Naik purportedly received recognition for his coverage of Kashmir, Indian minority issues, and Hindu nationalism from a Pakistani Jamaat organization associated with Abdul Malik Mujahid, who also oversees Justice For All.
Image Source: Sunday Guardian
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