Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has called the ban on 59 Chinese apps “a digital strike” by India on China. Speaking at a virtual BJP rally in Bengal, the minister said the apps were banned to protect data of Indians.

Ravi Shankar Prasad has said, "For security and sovereignty of India, for countrymen's digital security and privacy we have banned 59 apps, including TikTok. India knows how to look in the eyes of those eyeing our borders and to protect countrymen, India can even do a digital strike."

Ravi Shankar Prasad also said, “India for peace but if somebody casts an evil eye we will give befitting reply.”

India has banned 59 apps with Chinese links, including hugely popular TikTok and UC Browser, saying they were prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.