Regional shutdown
Mobile data, SMS
Rajasthan
Mobile Internet and SMS services were susspend in Jodhpur (Rajasthan) for three days after local authorities imposed a curfew under Section 144 following communal violence in the city on 3 May 2022. Fixed lines and cable broadband connections, as well as voice calls, were still operational. The District Magistrate cited Section 2(i) of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 as grounds for the order. This section specifically deals with the checks and balances in place around ordering Internet shutdowns. This was the second Internet shutdown in the region in the last month — a week-long internet shutdown was imposed in Karauli district of Rajasthan in the first week of April 2023, reportedly prompted by communal clashes. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries.
- Total Duration 2 days, 4 hours
India
- Population
- 1,438,069,596
Freedom House rates Internet freedom as Partly Free
Local impact
Mobile Internet and SMS services were susspend in Jodhpur (Rajasthan) for three days after local authorities imposed a curfew under Section 144 following communal violence in the city on 3 May 2022. Fixed lines and cable broadband connections, as well as voice calls, were still operational. The District Magistrate cited Section 2(i) of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 as grounds for the order. This section specifically deals with the checks and balances in place around ordering Internet shutdowns. This was the second Internet shutdown in the region in the last month — a week-long internet shutdown was imposed in Karauli district of Rajasthan in the first week of April 2023, reportedly prompted by communal clashes. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries.
Other supporting information
It’s difficult to measure the effect of local/regional Internet shutdowns as most measurements are done at a country level.
Social media
“Due to internet blackout, no one is getting to know what is going on in Jodhpur,” said Govinda Vaishnav, a shop-owner at the city’s Kabutaro ka Chowk. Source: MediaNama
Media coverage
“Due to internet blackout, no one is getting to know what is going on in Jodhpur,” said Govinda Vaishnav, a shop-owner at the city’s Kabutaro ka Chowk. Source: MediaNama