Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Ram Madhav Says Starlink Spectrum Decision Will Follow Law
Ram Madhav, a BJP leader, said India would decide who gets spectrum by following the law.
Spectrum is needed for companies to provide communication services.
He said Jio, Airtel and Starlink were waiting for decisions about it.
Madhav criticized Rahul Gandhi and Congress over their comments about Starlink and Elon Musk.
He said Congress had earlier raised national security concerns about Starlink.
The government said claims that local business interests were blocking Starlink were not true.
Musk had asked whether Ambani was the real boss of India.
Madhav said the decision would consider network and national security.
BJP leader Ram Madhav said spectrum allocation would follow Indian law and be free of discrimination.
He said Jio, Airtel and Starlink were all waiting for spectrum allocation.
Madhav accused Rahul Gandhi and Congress of changing their stance on Starlink and Elon Musk.
He cited earlier remarks by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh describing Starlink as a national security threat.
The government rejected claims that domestic business interests were blocking Starlink; Musk had questioned whether Ambani was influential in India.
- Who
- BJP leader Ram Madhav, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and Elon Musk.
- What
- Madhav defended the government's approach to spectrum allocation and criticized Gandhi's comments about Starlink.
- When
- October 9; the report also refers to statements made on the preceding Thursday.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- The dispute concerns Starlink's licensing and spectrum allocation, as well as claims about domestic business interests and national security.
Government and BJP position
Critics' concerns
Spectrum allocation and Starlink
Government and BJP position
Madhav said allocation would follow Indian rules and law, without discrimination, and that Jio, Airtel and Starlink were waiting.
Critics' concerns
Musk questioned why Starlink had not received a license after years of complying with Indian requirements; the government rejected claims that domestic business interests were blocking the service.
National security
Government and BJP position
Madhav said the decision would account for mobile, network and national security.
Critics' concerns
Madhav said Congress figures had previously called Starlink a national security threat, while Gandhi later responded to Musk's concerns; the report does not give Gandhi's full argument.
- Report date
- October 9; no year is specified in the article.
- Madhav's position
- Spectrum allocation will be conducted under the law and without discrimination.
- Companies awaiting allocation
- Jio, Airtel and Starlink, according to Madhav.
- Earlier Congress remarks
- Madhav cited Jairam Ramesh's earlier description of Starlink as a national security threat.
- Government response
- The government rejected allegations that domestic business interests were blocking Starlink's satellite internet services.
- Musk's question
- Musk asked on X whether Ambani was the real boss of India.
- Security considerations
- Madhav said the decision would take mobile security, network security, spectrum and national security into account.