The Net Disconnect
July 22, 2021
Is India right on repeatedly shutting down the internet and curbing freedom of speech?
Internet shutdowns are a growing concern in India as it debilitates the Digital India drive, envisioned by the BJP government. India being one of the most politically and economically diverse countries in the world, an internet shutdown means closing all roads of businesses, hampering economic growth. Not only that, it it also attacks the constitutional rights of citizens by denying them of RTI (Right to Information) and the Right to freedom of expression.
Lately some controversial decisions by the Indian Government has led to various marches and riots, and many of them have turned violent and wreaked havoc wherever they took place. To prevent such scenarios, authorities resorted to shutdown internet access to control the flow of information and break the communication line among the people.The cause of such action according to the government is said to be a preventive measure taken to ensure peace. But a research found that Internet shutdowns actually accelerate tensions and often lead to more violence, which is opposite of the intent cited by the authorities. This is because the information blackouts enhance spread of misinformation and disinformation, by restricting spread of correct information.
Probably the most affected state of India in this regard is Jammu & Kashmir. When Article 370 of the Constitution was revoked by the Parliament of India, the government shut down internet across Jammu and Kashmir, leading to complete information blackout and isolation of the entire state for 213 days starting from August 2019 till March 2020. We have seen a repetition of internet shutdowns frequently in recent times, like during the Ayodhya verdict, the CAA amendment riots and the Farmer’s Bill riots. In 2018, an internet shutdown took place in Rajasthan to prevent students from cheating in examinations – such an irrational internet shutdown proclaims the misuse of power done by the authorities.
Internet blackouts or shutdowns have grave economic consequences. Businesses and companies use internet, students depend upon internet for various educational resources, governmental schemes and programmes like E-seva, online payment etc, need internet facility to work. So, an irrational disruption of internet services leads to productivity loss and slows down the economy and violates the Fundamental right of free speech and expression, as well as the Right to Information – the basic tenets of the Indian Constitution.
In conclusion, before completely shutting down internet one should think of some alternative ways as there is no conclusive evidences that the internet cut-off has effectively helped in maintaining the law and order. So, it is crucial to understand that the same objective of such action can be fulfilled by other less intruding solutions, such as the ones we have talked about in our paper.
