Popular Kashmiri TikToker YAR G’s Account Banned, Igniting Free Speech Concerns in Kashmir

Pro-Freedom Content Creator’s Sudden Removal from Platform Highlights Digital Crackdown in Region

Rawalakot, AJK (Pakistan administrated Kashmir): The sudden banning of YAR G, a prominent TikTok personality from Pakistan-administered Kashmir, has sparked widespread concern over freedom of expression in the region. With over 139,000 followers, YAR G’s account, known for advocating Kashmir freedom and self-determination and reflecting Kashmiri aspirations, was abruptly removed from the platform last week. The move underscores growing tensions between digital activism and state-controlled narratives in a region where dissent is increasingly stifled.

Background: The Rise of a Digital Voice
YAR G, hailing from the Poonch district, emerged as a grassroots social media sensation by creating content that resonated deeply with Kashmiri youth. Their videos, often blending cultural pride with calls for political rights, tapped into the collective yearning for Kashmir freedom and self-determination—a sentiment rooted in Kashmir’s decades-long struggle for autonomy. Despite limited internet access in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where only 30% of the 4 million residents can connect online, YAR G leveraged TikTok’s viral potential to amplify marginalized voices.

Digital Barriers in a Conflict Zone
Internet access in Pakistan-administered Kashmir remains fragmented, with frequent throttling during periods of political unrest. According to digital rights groups, the region experiences some of the lowest connectivity rates in South Asia, compounded by infrastructural neglect and deliberate restrictions. Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok often serve as lifelines for communication and activism, particularly among youth who lack mainstream media representation.

“When your history is erased from textbooks and your protests are absent from news channels, platforms like TikTok become our archives,” remarked a local university student. For creators like YAR G, each post carried the dual burden of entertainment and resistance—a balance that ultimately drew scrutiny.

Reaction: Silence from Platforms, Defiance from Followers
YAR G confirmed the ban through a heartfelt Facebook post, expressing gratitude to supporters while mourning the loss of their digital community. “This journey wasn’t just mine—it belonged to all of you who saw hope in our shared voice,” the post read. Followers flooded social media with the hashtag #BringBackYARG, sharing screen recordings of deleted videos as acts of digital preservation.

Notably, neither TikTok nor regional authorities have provided an official explanation for the ban. While TikTok’s community guidelines prohibit content inciting violence, experts argue the platform’s opaque moderation processes often conflate political dissent with extremism. “This isn’t just about one account,” said Ayesha Khan, a researcher at a Digital Rights organization. “It’s about how tech companies capitulate to state pressures, silencing vulnerable communities under the guise of policy.”

Implications: Chilling Effect on Dissent
YAR G’s banning fits a broader pattern of digital repression in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where pro-independence voices face escalating censorship. In 2022, the region’s government introduced stringent social media regulations requiring platforms to remove content deemed “against national interest.” Critics argue such laws weaponize ambiguity to suppress dissent.

The crackdown mirrors tactics observed in Indian-administered Kashmir, where internet blackouts and platform bans are routine. However, Pakistan-administered Kashmir’s unique status governed by Islamabad layers of geopolitical complexity to its digital landscape. “Our voices are caught between two occupiers,” said activist Miran Shah. “Silencing us online won’t erase our demand for agency.”

Broader Context: Global Platform, Local Struggles
TikTok’s role in global censorship disputes has drawn scrutiny, particularly in conflict zones. In Myanmar, the platform was criticized for enabling military propaganda; in Palestine, activists accuse it of shadow-banning pro-resistance content. YAR G’s case highlights how algorithmic moderation disproportionately impacts marginalized regions, where context is often lost to automated filters.

“Platforms must adopt localized, transparent moderation practices,” urged Khan. “Otherwise, they become complicit in erasing narratives that challenge power structures.”

The Fight for Digital Sovereignty
YAR G’s disappearance from TikTok is more than a technical glitch—it’s a microcosm of Kashmir’s struggle for visibility. As the region grapples with overlapping occupations and geopolitical rivalries, social media remains a battleground for narrative control.