Internet Shutdowns

On Saturday, 10 February, the Haryana government imposed Section 144 in anticipation of the farmers’ planned ‘Delhi Chalo’ march on 13 February. As per an official decree, mobile Internet services and bulk SMS services will be inaccessible in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa districts on 11 February from 6:00 local time until 13 February 23:59 local time. Per reports, these orders were extended until 15 February 23:59 and have been extended several more times.

Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the citizens’ ability 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 other countries.

“The prevailing situation has largely affected online education in government schools, where board exams are approaching for secondary classes at the end of this month, while exams of classes 9 and 11 are underway and tablets provided to them are of no use.

“Sheenam, a student of Class 12 at a school in Kurukshetra, said she is unable to access online educational videos in the SIM card-enabled tablets to prepare for the exams.

“Amit Chhabra, a JBT teacher at a school in Ambala, said, “This is a difficult situation for teachers as we are dependent on online education for homework, preparation and other tasks. In the absence of adequate teachers, the dependence has been increased on tablets.” VIA Hindustan Times

‘The Haryana government has imposed mobile internet restrictions under the “apprehension” that the farmers’ march will pose a danger to public life and property. This indicates that the government has taken to internet restriction as a preventive measure, without any substantial evidence of misinformation or “inflammatory material” that could affect public order. Such actions restrict legitimate information, especially during a major social and political movement, and adversely impacts people’s access to readily available means of communication, thereby limiting their freedom of speech and expression.’ VIA Internet Suspension Hurts Citizens’ Right To Information And Communication: Plea In Punjab & Haryana High Court, Medianama

Dear haryana govt
Internet services is shut down here in 7 district from more than 15 days and still increased limit It’s creating more problem now Students are unable to study online during thier boards exams and upi transactions are also stopped Please give back internet asap. pic.twitter.com/gXhVEYI2cO

— Mohit (@Mohit01102) February 24, 2024

I’m just tired of this internet shutdown in haryana. Have to ask people to lend me wifi passwords so that at least i can fill my competitive exam forms. Who is going to compensate for the online classes and data charges i have paid for? @mlkhattar @reliancejio @narendramodi

— Amandeep Kaur (@Amandee33479700) February 20, 2024

internet shutdown in haryana for next 3 days😔😔😔🤦#InternetShutdown pic.twitter.com/PMbX0LoSB7

— GaMaN GarG (@GamanGarg) February 10, 2024

#InternetShutdown #Alert #Haryana

The #internet shutdown in some parts of Haryana has been extended until 19th February.

With the new extension order, the shutdown will now last 9 days.#LetTheNetWork #KeepItOn #SFLC #Shutdown #NetBlackOut https://t.co/g8Luid9Ef8

— InternetShutdowns.in (@NetShutdowns) February 18, 2024

#InternetShutdown #Alert #Haryana

The internet shutdown has been extended until February 23rd. The two-day extension means that the Internet blackout will now last for 13 days.#LetTheNetWork #KeepItOn #SFLC #India #FarmersProtest2024 #DelhiChaloMarch https://t.co/mYqpCl8xqD pic.twitter.com/NaRVP5wagZ

— InternetShutdowns.in (@NetShutdowns) February 22, 2024