Kashmir like curb and internet clamp down in Delhi on 72nd Republic Day

The capital city of India, Delhi witnessed Kashmir like curbs and internet clampdown on Tuesday evening – on the day when India celebrated its 72nd Republic Day.

Lakhs of people living in border areas – in Singhu, Tikri, Ghazipur received a notification on their mobiles from service providers that the internet services have been stopped till further notice.

“As per the government instructions, the internet services have been temporarily stopped in your area because of which you are not able to use these services,” reads the text message.

While services resumed for a few hours after 12 am in the night, in the morning of January 27 again internet services were suspended in some areas.

“What a gift by the Modi government to the Republic that they represent and take oath to protect, remarked a resident of Vaishali – a suburb located at the eastern corner of the city.

While Mukesh Ambani owned JIO, suspended internet services by evening on January 26, Airtel slowed down the speed. Vodafone-Idea initially slowed down the speed but later suspended the internet services.

In some areas, callers complained about poor connectivity also. A free-lance journalist living in Indirapuram said he could not get through to his mother despite calling her several times.

Due to the internet clampdown, internet-based businesses were hit badly, complained shopkeepers and restaurant owners.

Media reported that decisions to suspend internet services came from the Home Ministry headed by Amit Shah.

According to a Department of Telecom spokesperson, internet shutdown order has been invoked by the local law and order administration and not by the department.

“Government has invoked Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017 in the interest of maintaining public safety and averting public emergency to suspend internet services in areas closer to farmers protest sites,” PTI reported.

However, many feel the internet clampdowns further agitated farmers.

A social activist cum Jat leader, living near Ghazipur border rued over it and said, the farmers protesting on the Delhi borders have further been embittered. He referred to the internet curb in Kashmir and said, “ This will be remembered by the (farmers) community.”

4G mobile internet services in Jammu and Kashmir remain suspended till date for more than 500 days, ever since the abrogation of Article 370.  A petition has been filed in the apex court for the third time, challenging the curb.