Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge has issued a stern warning against people who post self-styled investigations on migrant-related issues and share such content on social media. The state government will not tolerate vigilantism or moral policing, he said, and it is only responsible for security, migration, and law enforcement.
Kharge also warned of an ever-expanding trend of people and groups taking pictures, making unofficial inquiries and uploading their findings on the internet to criticize government institutions. These activities are not only confusing but also undermine ongoing investigations and sensitive security operations in place from inside government, Kharge said.
Kharge said people who genuinely care about national security and public welfare should cooperate with law enforcement agencies and not disseminate unverified information on social media. Citizens should report suspicious activities or undocumented migrants directly to the police or government authorities, he said, so officials could verify the information and take appropriate legal action without jeopardizing wider security efforts.
It is the unintentional sharing of information online that can lead to a negative impact, the minister said. Public posts and videos can alert people or networks that are under surveillance and can help them escape detection, he said. These activities can also interfere with intelligence-gathering operations that are being conducted by the state and central agencies, he said. “Secrets are very important for the successful outcome of the investigations,” Kharge said.
Kharge also said that the Karnataka government has been working with the relevant authorities of the country to identify and verify the status of migrants living in the state. In the last 3 months, more than 1,000 migrants from Bangladesh and African countries have been identified and handed over to the Foreigners Regional Office (FRO) for further action and verification.
The state government is in constant collaboration with agencies like the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Foreigners Regional Office to ensure the enforcement of immigration laws and violations should be looked at and handled as per law. When necessary, Kharge said the government will take action and have a system of monitoring and verification of foreign nationals.
He also said that the issue shouldn’t be politicized or used to create fear in communities. Kharge explained that good governance is about balancing security concerns with legal and human rights issues. Enforcement should be based on verified information and conducted by trained officials and not on social media campaigns sponsored by private individuals (e.g., by the private sector).
The minister also said unverified claims on the internet can distort evidence and cause misinformation and increase tension in society. Innocent people are at risk of being wrongfully targeted or harassed for no reason in some cases. Such incidents breed panic and damage community relations, and citizens need to take official measures to address those concerns.
Kharge’s comments come as migration, border security, and social media in public discourse are on the rise. With digital platforms bringing information to people rapidly, governments across the country have repeatedly advised citizens to avoid circulating unverified content and to work with law enforcement agencies.
The Karnataka government says it is going to keep an eye on migration and will conduct investigations that are professional, legal, and effective. As authorities continue to root out and verify undocumented migrants, the minister’s message has been that public collaboration is required through official channels, not in online campaigns.
With citizens encouraging more people to report what they know to authorities, the government will not only be able to improve security but also do so in a way that does not allow for any potential actions to jeopardize the investigation or public safety.
