1 hr ago
Kamal Haasan Defends India’s Starlink Licensing Independence
Elon Musk questioned why Starlink had not received a licence to operate in India.
He also asked whether Indian business leader Mukesh Ambani had influence over the decision.
Kamal Haasan replied that billionaires should not decide a country’s policies.
He said India should allow satellite internet companies to compete, as long as their service is useful and affordable.
He warned that expensive internet could leave ordinary families behind.
Haasan also said India must protect its communications systems for national security.
He pointed to problems in the government’s rural broadband programme, BharatNet, based on a 2026 audit.
He said India should welcome businesses from abroad but make its own decisions.
BJP spokesperson Priti Gandhi praised his comments.
Elon Musk questioned the delay in Starlink’s Indian licence, citing the company’s presence in more than 165 countries and asking whether Mukesh Ambani was “the real boss of India.”
Kamal Haasan said no billionaire should dictate national policy and argued India should welcome domestic and international satellite internet competition.
Haasan said satellite internet should be affordable and useful for remote communities, warning that high subscription and equipment costs could deepen the digital divide.
He described telecommunications networks and spectrum as strategic infrastructure and said national security safeguards were non-negotiable.
Haasan cited a 2026 CAG audit finding that 33.2% of service-ready Gram Panchayats were operational under BharatNet, despite ₹39,888 crore in spending; BJP spokesperson Priti Gandhi welcomed his remarks.
- Who
- Actor-politician Kamal Haasan responded to Elon Musk’s comments about Starlink’s Indian licence; BJP spokesperson Priti Gandhi welcomed Haasan’s concerns.
- What
- Haasan defended India’s authority over licensing and policy, while calling for affordable satellite internet, competition, and national security safeguards.
- Where
- The discussion concerned Starlink’s entry into India.
- When
- Haasan’s post was dated October 9, 2026.
- Why
- Musk questioned the delay in Starlink’s licence and asked whether Mukesh Ambani was influencing the process.
Haasan’s position
Musk’s criticism
Licensing and national policy
Haasan’s position
Haasan said India should set its own policy and protect national security, while welcoming competition from domestic and international providers.
Musk’s criticism
Musk questioned why Starlink had not received an Indian licence after five years of complying with government requirements, and asked whether Mukesh Ambani was influencing the process.
Market access and protectionism
Haasan’s position
Haasan argued that countries make decisions in their own interests and said Western countries should not demand open markets while protecting their own industries.
Musk’s criticism
Musk’s comments challenged the delay in Starlink’s access to the Indian market; the articles do not provide a fuller explanation of his position on Haasan’s protectionism argument.
Key facts
- Starlink reach cited by Musk
- Musk said Starlink was licensed in more than 165 countries.
- Haasan’s policy position
- He said no billionaire should dictate a nation’s policy and called for competition from Indian and global providers.
- Affordability concern
- Haasan warned that subscription and equipment costs could put satellite internet beyond the reach of ordinary households.
- National security
- Haasan described networks and spectrum as strategic infrastructure and said security safeguards were non-negotiable.
- BharatNet audit figure
- Haasan cited a 2026 CAG audit finding that 33.2% of service-ready Gram Panchayats were operational.
- BharatNet expenditure
- Haasan said ₹39,888 crore had been spent.
- BJP response
- BJP spokesperson Priti Gandhi praised Haasan for putting national interest above politics.
Quotes
Kamal Haasan
Actor and politician commenting on Starlink’s Indian licensing process.
“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.”
republicworld.com
businesstoday.in
“Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license? Is Ambani the real boss of India?”
republicworld.com
Sources
Kamal Haasan Hits Back At Elon Musk Over Starlink Licensing Criticism: India Is A Democracy, Not Colony
‘India Is a Democracy, Not a Colony’: Kamal Haasan Hits Back at Elon Musk Over Starlink Licensing Citing 'National Security'
'No billionaire should dictate a nation’s policy Indian or American...': Kamal Haasan hits back at Elon Musk over Starlink row
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