#FactCheck-Viral Claim That Modi’s Jhalmuri Vendor Was an SPG Commando Is False

Executive Summary

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A picture of grenade-style pens is being circulated on social media with the claim that they are actually small bombs responsible for explosions in Gujarat. Users are being warned not to pick up any object resembling the pen, with posts alleging that similar devices are causing blasts in different parts of the state. CyberPeace Research Wing research found the claim to be completely false. The viral image shows a novelty military-style pen, not an explosive device. The same product is listed on the American e-commerce platform Etsy, where it is described as a military tank or grenade-style ink pen that uses refillable ink cartridges.

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Claim

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The viral image shows five grenade-shaped pens. It is being shared with a caption claiming: “Do not pick up anything that looks like this pen. If you find one lying somewhere, do not touch it. It is a small bomb, and incidents like this are happening wherever such pens are found in Gujarat.”The post also includes photographs of injured individuals to reinforce the claim.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/273456550609813/posts/1721798935775560/

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Fact Check

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To verify the claim, we first searched for relevant news reports using English and Gujarati keywords. However, we found no credible media reports linking grenade-shaped pens to any explosions in Gujarat. During the search, we came across reports mentioning that certain Khalistani groups had allegedly sent emails threatening blasts in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. However, none of those reports mentioned grenade-style pens or any similar explosive devices.

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We also checked whether Gujarat Police had issued any warning, advisory, or public notice regarding such objects. However, no such advisory was found on any official Gujarat Police social media handle or public platform.

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Next, we conducted a reverse image search of the viral photograph. The search led us to a listing on the American e-commerce website Etsy, where the product is described as a “Military Novelty Tank or Grenade Ink Pen.”

https://www.etsy.com/listing/889188479/military-novelty-tank-or-grenade-ink

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The product description indicates that it is a novelty writing instrument that uses refillable ink cartridges and is intended purely as a decorative or novelty item. We also reviewed Etsy’s prohibited items policy. According to the platform, weapons, explosives, and other dangerous items are not permitted to be sold on the website.

https://www.etsy.com/legal/prohibited/

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Additionally, we attempted to contact Michael Dobbs, associated with the product listing, for clarification. This report will be updated if a response is received.

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Conclusion

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The evidence gathered during our research clearly shows that the claim is false. The viral image does not depict a bomb but a novelty grenade-style ink pen sold online. There is no evidence that such pens are causing explosions in Gujarat, and the claim being circulated on social media is entirely misleading.

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Introduction

Mr Rajeev Chanderashekhar, MoS, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, on 09 March 2023, held a stakeholder consultation on the Digital India Bill. This bill will be the successor to the Information technology Act 2000 and provide a set of regulations and laws which will govern cyberspace in times to come. The consultation was held in Bangalore and was the first of many such consultations where the Digital India bill is to be discussed. These public stakeholder consultations will provide direct public feedback to the ministry, and this will help create a safe and secure ecosystem of Indian Cyber Laws.

What is the Digital India Act?

Cyberspace has evolved the fastest as compared to any other industry, and the evolution of the growth cannot be presumed to be stagnant or stuck as we see new technologies and gadgets being invented all across the globe. The ease created by using technology has changed how we live and function. However, bad actors often use these advantages or fruits of technology to wreak havoc upon the nation’s cyberspace. The use of technology is always governed by the application of usage and safeguard policies and laws. As technology is growing exponentially, it is pertinent that we have laws which are in congruence with today’s time and technology. This is keenly addressed by the Digital India Act, which will be the legislation governing Indian Cyberspace in times to come. This was the need of the hour in order to have the judiciary, legislature and law enforcement agencies ahead of the curve when it comes to cyber crimes and laws.

What is the Digital India Bill’s primary goal?

The Digital India Bill’s goal is to guarantee an institutional structure for accountability and that the internet in India is accessible, unhindered by user harm or criminal activity. The law will apply to new technologies, algorithmic social media platforms, artificial intelligence, user risks, the diversity of the internet, and the regulation of intermediaries. The diversity of the internet, user hazards, artificial intelligence, social media platforms, and intermediary regulation are all discussed.

Why is the Digital India Bill necessary?

The number of internet users in the country currently exceeds 760 million; in the upcoming years, this number will reach 1.2 billion. Despite the fact that the internet is useful and promotes connectivity, there are a number of user damages nearby. Thus, it is crucial to enact legislation to set forth new guidelines for individuals’ rights and responsibilities and mention the requirement to gather data.

Major Elements of the Digital India Act

Major Elements of the Digital India Bill, which will eventually become an Act, which will contribute massively towards a safe cyber-ecosystem, some of these elements aim towards the following-

• The legislation attempts to establish an internet regulator.
• Women and Child safety.
• Safe harbour for intermediaries.
• The right of the individual to secure his information and the requirement to utilise personal data for legal purposes provide the main obstacles to data protection or regulation. The law tries to deal with this difficulty.
• A limit will be placed on how far a person’s personal information can be accessed for legal reasons.
• The majority of the bill’s characteristics are contrasted with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation.

The Way Ahead

As we ride the wave of developments in cyberspace regarding emerging technologies and automated gadgets, it becomes pertinent that the state takes due note of such technologies and the courts take cognisance of offences committed by using technology. Law enforcement agencies must also train police personnel who can effectively and efficiently investigate cybercrime cases. The ministry also released a few bills last year, such as – the Telecommunication Bill, 2022, Intermediary Rules and the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022, to better address the shortcomings and the issues in cyberspace and how to safeguard the netizens. The Digital India Act will essentially create a synergy between the current bills and the new ones to come in order to create a wholesome, safe and secure Indian cyber ecosystem.

Conclusion

Digital India Bill is necessary to address the challenges of cyberspace, like personal data and privacy, and policies related to online child and women safety to create a and create a modern and comprehensive legal framework that aligns with global standards of cyber laws. The draft of the bill is expected to come out by July. The ministry looks forward to maximising the impact of the bill through such continuous and effective public consultation to understand and fulfil the expectations and requirements of the Indian netizen, thus empowering him/her equivalent to the netizen of a developed country.

Introduction 
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In recent years, India has seen tremendous growth in its space industry. The satellite infrastructure of India now provides key services to a variety of sectors, including communication, navigation, broadcasting, disaster management and national security operations. Satellite communications globally will connect remote communities, aid in the delivery of Digital Governance and support India's strategic military capabilities. Given the expanding space ecosystem in India with the involvement of the public sector, private sector and research institutions, the security of satellite communications is becoming increasingly important.  

 At the same time, as satellite communication technologies become more pervasive, the risk of cyber threats targeting space systems increases. Cyberattacks against satellites, ground terminals or communication networks may critically impact, disrupt, damage, and/or destroy essential services, and expose sensitive information. To mitigate these risks, CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team), in collaboration with the SatCom Industry Association of India released a Cyber Security Framework and Guidelines for Space Platforms/Systems, including Satellite Communication, in 2026. This framework aims to establish and enhance cybersecurity measures throughout India's space ecosystem, while guiding how to better prepare for and respond to the growing volume of cyber threat activity targeting Space Systems. 
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Overview of the CERT-In Space Cybersecurity Framework 
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CERT-In introduced a dedicated cybersecurity framework for space systems in February 2026. Developed in collaboration with industry stakeholders, the framework provides guidelines to strengthen the security of satellite communication infrastructure across India. Although the guidelines are advisory in nature, they are designed to promote best practices and encourage organisations to adopt robust cybersecurity measures. 

The framework targets a wide range of stakeholders involved in satellite communication operations. These include government agencies, satellite operators, ground station operators, equipment manufacturers, technology vendors, and emerging space startups. By outlining cybersecurity principles, technical controls, and governance mechanisms, the framework aims to create a coordinated approach to protecting space assets. 

Another key objective of the guidelines is to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors. As India’s space industry expands and private participation increases, maintaining a secure and resilient ecosystem becomes essential. The framework, therefore, emphasises risk management, incident reporting, and continuous monitoring to strengthen the overall cybersecurity posture of the space sector. 
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Key Components of Satellite Communication Systems 
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Satellite communication systems are made up of multiple interconnected devices that can be used to deliver communication services. The cybersecurity framework groups these elements into three categories: the space segment, the ground segment, and the user segment.  

The space segment is everything related to the satellite itself, including the satellite's onboard systems. This includes the satellite's communication payload, telemetry systems, antennas, power systems, and software that controls its operation. Because satellites operate in remote parts of space with very little opportunity for maintenance, securing these systems is critical in order to guard against unauthorized access to or control of these systems.  

The ground segment comprises the terrestrial infrastructure responsible for controlling the satellite's operations. It consists of satellite mission control centres, ground stations, network gateways and data processing facilities. The ground stations send commands to the satellites and receive telemetry data from the satellites, which makes the ground station a very important physical interface point between the satellite asset located in outer space and a terrestrial network. 

The user segment contains any device terminal being used by either an individual or an organisation that is accessing a satellite service. Examples of user devices are satellite phones, VSAT terminals, modems, and IoT devices connected to satellite networks. Since these devices connect directly to the communication networks, vulnerabilities in user equipment could also represent a significant threat to the cybersecurity of satellite communications. 

Major Cyber Threats to Space Infrastructure 
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The space systems that support the delivery of satellite communications are being increasingly targeted with multiple types of cyber threats. A major category includes cyber-attacks on communication links between satellites and ground stations. Cyber criminals can attempt to jam the satellite’s communication link, intercept communication signals, or re-transmit previously sent communication signals in order to disrupt the operation of the affected satellites. 

Attacks on the systems that control the satellite are serious threats to satellite operations. Cybercriminals and hostile actors can perform command injection attacks where commands are sent to a satellite, and the satellite responds through some undesired action. If cybercriminals are able to gain access to the telemetry or command channels, they can potentially disrupt the operation of the satellite or alter the telemetry data being received from the satellite. 

The ground infrastructure that supports satellite communications is still a major target for cybercriminals. Mission control networks and data centres are susceptible to malware, ransomware, phishing, and insider threats. Attackers will frequently target ground stations because they provide a connection point to terrestrial networks and can exploit vulnerabilities from the ground station’s IT systems into the satellite control systems. The combination of these threats illustrates the need for an overall security strategy that encompasses all parts of the satellite communications ecosystem. 
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Key Security Principles and Measures 
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A comprehensive overview of multiple principles designed to increase the security of satellite communications is provided in the CERT-In Framework on Cybersecurity for Satellite Communications. The first of these principles, security by design, refers to ensuring that all cybersecurity controls associated with a system are implemented at the time of the system's initial design and development, not afterwards; therefore, security controls should be incorporated throughout the entire lifecycle of a satellite system. 

The second principle, which is known as Defense-in-Depth, consists of implementing many different layers or tiers of security controls to protect a system against cyber threats or attacks. An example of the different categories of security controls includes physical security, network security, and access control, among others. By combining security controls across multiple categories, an organisation may be able to reduce the chance that one single vulnerability will result in the loss of the entire system. 

The third principle in the Framework, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA): Users and/or devices located within a network should not be able to rely on implicit trust. Therefore, every request for access to the network will be verified and continuously monitored for potential threats. 

The previous two principles stated that secure satellite communications should be conducted using strong encryption and authentication methods, as well as secure communications methods, and that an enterprise monitoring system would be put into place to help detect anomalies or suspicious behaviour. 

Conclusion 
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India is taking an important step toward protecting its expanding space ecosystem by creating a cybersecurity framework to safeguard cyberspace systems from cyber threats. The CERT-In guidelines offer a structured means of reducing the likelihood of cyber threats impacting satellite communication infrastructure through secure system design, continuous monitoring of systems and creating consistent partnerships among organisations. As well as providing evidence that both government and private sector organisations share a collective responsibility for the protection of space assets, both sectors participate in a collaborative effort.

India will need to implement rigorous cybersecurity measures as it expands its space infrastructure in order to ensure the continued availability of critical space infrastructure and ultimately develop its existing commercial satellite business operations with the highest level of safety and security.

References 
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1. https://www.cert-in.org.in/s2cMainServlet?pageid=GUIDLNVIEW02&refcode=CISG-2026-01
2. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2233122&reg=3&lang=1

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