Politics · India · 2 days ago
Kamal Haasan says India will decide its own Starlink policy
Elon Musk said Starlink was being blocked in India to protect powerful business interests, and questioned whether Mukesh Ambani had undue influence.
Kamal Haasan, an actor and Rajya Sabha member representing Tamil Nadu, replied on X that no billionaire should dictate India’s policies.
He said India should welcome Indian and international satellite internet providers if they offer practical, affordable service, especially in remote areas.
Haasan also said security rules for networks and spectrum matter because they are strategic infrastructure.
He cited BharatNet as a programme that should be scrutinised, noting that a 2026 audit found only 33.2% of service-ready village councils were operational despite spending of ₹39,888 crore.
Starlink has a government licence but still needs security clearance and spectrum assignment before it can start commercial services in India.
The Communications Ministry has said the country’s authorisation framework is fair and non-discriminatory.
Kamal Haasan responded on X to Elon Musk’s claims that Starlink was being held back in India by powerful business interests.
Musk said Starlink was “blocked by certain oligarchs” and questioned whether Mukesh Ambani was “the real boss of India”.
Haasan said India should welcome satellite internet competition if providers can offer practical, affordable service, while retaining control of its own policies and national security safeguards.
He cited BharatNet, saying a 2026 audit found that 33.2% of service-ready Gram Panchayats were operational despite spending of ₹39,888 crore.
Starlink has a GMPCS licence in India but is still awaiting security clearance and spectrum assignment before it can begin commercial services.
India’s Ministry of Communications said claims that its satellite communications framework is discriminatory were “baseless and misconceived”.
- Who
- Kamal Haasan, Elon Musk and India’s Ministry of Communications
- What
- Haasan responded to Musk’s claims that business interests were obstructing Starlink’s entry into India.
- When
- Friday, October 9, 2026; Musk made his comments on Wednesday.
- Where
- India; Haasan and Musk posted on X.
- Why
- Musk alleged that Starlink’s entry was being blocked to protect powerful business interests; India’s government said its authorisation framework is fair and non-discriminatory.
Elon Musk
India’s Ministry of Communications
Whether Starlink is being unfairly held back
Elon Musk
Musk said Starlink was being “blocked by certain oligarchs” to protect a “monopolistic chokehold” in India, and questioned why the company still lacked a licence after years of compliance efforts.
India’s Ministry of Communications
The Ministry of Communications said suggestions that India’s regulatory framework was discriminatory were “baseless and misconceived” and described the authorisation framework as fair and non-discriminatory.
Starlink’s regulatory position
Elon Musk
Musk said Starlink was licensed in more than 165 countries and had spent five years complying with Indian laws and government requirements.
India’s Ministry of Communications
Starlink has received a GMPCS licence but still needs security clearance and spectrum assignment before it can begin commercial services. The Indian Express reported that Starlink and two other licensed satellite operators were undergoing security assessments at broadly the same stage.
Mr. Musk, yes, no billionaire should dictate a nation’s policy – Indian or American.
India is a democracy, not a colony. We welcome the world, but we, the Indian people, will decide our own future – not Western vested interests, their double standards or any billionaire – Indian or American.
Is Ambani the real boss of India?
The Government has put in place a fair and non-discriminatory authorisation framework for all telecommunication services, including satellite communication services.
Elon Musk alleged that Starlink was being blocked in India by powerful business interests and questioned why the company still lacked a licence.
The Ministry of Communications said claims that India’s satellite communications framework was discriminatory were baseless and misconceived.
Kamal Haasan posted his response on X, arguing that India should welcome affordable competition while deciding its own policies.
- Starlink licence
- Starlink has received a Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) licence in India.
- Remaining approvals
- Security clearance and spectrum assignment are still required before commercial services can begin.
- BharatNet operational figure
- 33.2% of service-ready Gram Panchayats were operational, according to the 2026 CAG audit figure cited by Haasan.
- BharatNet spending
- ₹39,888 crore had been spent, according to the figure Haasan cited.
- Musk’s international licensing claim
- Musk said Starlink was licensed in more than 165 countries.
Sources
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