India
Delhi and Haryana local law and order administrations ordered for Internet services to be suspended in parts of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi and Haryana on 26 January 2021 from 12:00 to 23:59 local time in the “interest of maintaining public safety” during protests. 3G and 4G services were temporarily suspended in areas of Singhu, Ghazipur, Tikri, Mukarba Chowk, and Nangloi and their adjoining areas in the NCT of Delhi, and mobile services were throttled to 2G speeds.
One report indicated that the Internet was not fully restored in most areas that were initially cut off on 26 January, and the shutdowns in at least two districts were extended until 5 February 2021.
The order was passed under Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, which empowers the Union home secretary and state home secretaries to direct telecom operators to suspend telecom services. The order for Delhi was approved by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla but was signed by Shailendra Vikram Singh, deputy secretary (cyber and information security) in the MHA. The order for Haryana was signed by Rajeev Arora, the additional chief secretary (home) for the state.
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.
From a technical standpoint, such shutdowns can have unintended consequences too. In the case of India’s largest telco, Jio, which is fully IP-based, these orders mean even voice calls are suspended.
“The Union Government must stop using internet shutdowns as its go-to tool to quell political protests and demonstrations,” said Raman Jit Singh Chima, Senior International Counsel and Asia Pacific Policy Director at Access Now. “On India’s Republic Day, the government-ordered internet shutdown affecting hundreds of thousands of people in these areas of Delhi is not just inconsistent with a 21st Century Digital India, it directly violates the Constitution of India which the day seeks to celebrate.” Source: Access Now
#Delhi's 52.72 million mobile subscribers have been hit by the internet shutdown in the capital due to farmers' protests that turned violent on Tuesday. #Farmersprotest #farmlaws #redfort #tractorrally #mukarbachowk #MHA #Violence #ITCard
Full story: https://t.co/fn7LewWUwM pic.twitter.com/9QwZtYvbAD
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) January 27, 2021
In view of internet shutdown in parts of Delhi-NCR, Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association makes a request before CJI to not pass any adverse orders if advocates fail to appear in virtual court hearings. pic.twitter.com/Cd8whx9lNR
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) January 27, 2021
MHA orders suspension of internet in parts of Delhi for 12 hours from Tuesday noon: Officials
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 26, 2021
#Delhi's 52.72 million mobile subscribers have been hit by the internet shutdown in the capital due to farmers' protests that turned violent on Tuesday. #Farmersprotest #farmlaws #redfort #tractorrally #mukarbachowk #MHA #Violence #ITCard
Full story: https://t.co/fn7LewWUwM pic.twitter.com/9QwZtYvbAD
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) January 27, 2021
As #protests broke out among #farmers on India's #RepublicDay, the government has responded with #InternetShutdown in parts of #Delhi. #KeepitOn #India #FarmersProtest #FarmersTractorRally #LetTheNetWork
— Software Freedom Law Center (@sflc) January 26, 2021
Farmers’ protest turns violent: Internet snapped in parts of Delhi-NCR — India Express
India: Government orders shutdown of internet services in parts of New Delhi as farmers protest turns violent — Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
Government orders internet shutdown in Delhi on India’s Republic Day — Access Now
Were the Republic Day internet shutdowns in Delhi, Haryana necessary? — Forbes India
Farmers’ protest: Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea suspend internet services in Delhi-NCR region — Economic Times
Farmer protests: Internet shutdown in parts of Delhi NCR; Mobile Internet throttled to 2G speeds in others — MediaNama