On September 21, 2025, the official X account of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was hacked, with unauthorized posts featuring the national flags of Pakistan and Turkey briefly appearing, according to multiple reports. The breach occurred on the same day as the India-Pakistan Asia Cup cricket match, amplifying its political sensitivity. Hackers also live-streamed images related to the two countries, sparking concerns among Shinde’s followers and political circles.
Incident Details
- Hacking and Posts: The intrusion was detected early Sunday morning when hackers posted images of Pakistan and Turkey flags on Shinde’s verified X handle (@mieknathshinde). The timing coincided with heightened India-Pakistan tensions due to the Asia Cup match, raising speculation about the hackers’ motives.
- Swift Response: Shinde’s office promptly alerted the Maharashtra Cyber Crime Police, and the technical team regained control of the account within 30 to 45 minutes, deleting the unauthorized content. An official statement confirmed, “We immediately alerted the cybercrime police. Our team in charge of the Dy CM’s X handle retrieved the account.”
- No Sensitive Data Compromised: Authorities assured that no sensitive information was leaked during the breach, and the account was secured with enhanced measures.
Political Reactions
- Shiv Sena (UBT) Response: Aaditya Thackeray, a leader from the rival Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, criticized the Union government’s silence on the incident, calling it a “bigger problem” and questioning cybersecurity measures for public figures.
- BJP and Allies: While no official BJP statement was reported, the incident fueled discussions on X about rising cybersecurity threats, especially given Shinde’s prominence as a Shiv Sena leader and former Chief Minister (2022–2024). Some users linked the hack to broader India-Pakistan tensions, though no evidence confirms this.
Broader Context
The hack underscores growing cybersecurity risks for political leaders, as highlighted by News18, which noted the need for stronger digital protections as public figures rely on platforms like X for direct engagement. The incident follows recent cyberattacks, such as the September 20 breach of Collins Aerospace systems affecting European airports, signaling a global uptick in digital vulnerabilities.
Shinde, a key figure in Maharashtra’s ruling Mahayuti alliance, has been a vocal critic of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and a staunch supporter of PM Narendra Modi’s anti-terrorism stance, notably praising Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The hack’s timing, amid the Asia Cup and regional tensions like the Saudi-Pakistan defence pact, has sparked speculation, though officials have not confirmed the hackers’ identity or motives.
Ongoing Investigation
The Maharashtra Cyber Cell is investigating the breach, focusing on the source of the attack and potential foreign involvement. The quick restoration of Shinde’s account minimized damage, but the incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of high-profile political accounts, especially during sensitive geopolitical events.
