India
On 16 August, Udaipur authorities ordered Internet services to be suspended for 24 hours from 22:00 local time in several areas in the district to maintain law and order following a stabbing at a local school. These orders were extended twice, on 17 August and 18 August, following communal unrest. Although the final orders stipulated Internet services were to return at 22:00 on 19 August, multiple people reported some services not resuming until 21 August.
Suspending Internet services during times of conflict restricts legitimate information and communication and limits freedom of speech and expression.
[Update 19 August]
Internet services in Udaipur will be suspended for 24 hours, remaining shut until 10 PM on August 19 pic.twitter.com/khudblql1P
— IANS (@ians_india) August 18, 2024
[Update 18 August]
Udaipur stabbing case | Internet services to remain suspended for 24 more hours in Udaipur. The order will remain effective till 10 pm on August 18: Rajasthan Government pic.twitter.com/otGGC2rLzS
— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) August 17, 2024
[17 August]
Udaipur stabbing case | District administration issues order to shut down the internet for the next 24 hours from 10:00 pm tonight: Rajasthan Government pic.twitter.com/GzvLdbX7me
— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) August 16, 2024
It’s difficult to measure the effect of local/regional Internet shutdowns as most measurements are done at a country level.
Schools, Colleges To Remain Closed Today; Internet Services Suspended In #Udaipur .#OmmcomNewshttps://t.co/IFOGIaeW8w
— Ommcom News (@OmmcomNews) August 17, 2024
Internet shutdown
During my time in Udaipur amidst the riots, when the internet was fully shut down for 6-7 hours, I got an unsettling preview of what life might be like after death. Without internet, I was completely disconnected from the world – no communication, no updates…— Om Amritanshu Mohanty (@amritanshu_om) August 17, 2024
Internet down for 2 days in Udaipur. Not good. UPI DOWN. Local Authorities do not care for hardships of tourist. Bad governance. #RajasthaNews #Rajasthan #RajasthanWithFirstIndia #RajasthanWithNews18 #PMModi #homeminister
— PK JAIN (@jain_prashant74) August 18, 2024
Internet suspension is legally grounded in the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017. These laws are broadly defined and lack clear parameters.Plz revisit its not a solution #udaipur @DoT_India
— Palash☀️ (@palashbolia) August 18, 2024
No internet in #Udaipur due to #UdaipurViolence since 16 August 2024. Personally, I have not been able to buy petrol for my car as online payments not working.
— Uttam Pegu/乌塔姆·佩古/Umme Pe'gu/उत्तम पेगू/উত্তম পেগু (@uttampegu) August 20, 2024
Internet suspended in Udaipur after communal tension over stabbing in school — Hindustan Times
Internet services suspended in Udaipur after communal tensions flare over school student’s stabbing — The Financial Express
Udaipur stabbing victim cremated amid tight security; mobile internet services remain suspended — India Post
Mobile Internet Services Resume in Udaipur. Police Warns Strict Action Against Rumor Broadcasters — Udapur Times