Government Orders Internet Shutdown In Delhi On India's Republic Day

India’s Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued orders directing internet shutdowns across several areas of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi today, January 26, the nation’s Republic Day.

Reports of disrupted internet and telecom connectivity emerged earlier today as the Delhi Police clashed with farming groups taking part in a planned protest in Delhi. People in several parts of the city received messages from telecom providers stating that services had been disrupted following government orders. The directive issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs under provisions of the 2017 Telecom Network Suspension Rules ordered internet suspension in the Singhu, Ghazipur, Tikri, Mukarba Chowk, and Nangloi areas of the NCT of Delhi, from 12:00 to 23:59 local time on January 26. The order was apparently issued at the behest of Delhi Police, which functions as a federal police force, reporting to the Union Government and not the government of the NCT of Delhi.

“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.”

India has a long track record of internet shutdowns, often in response to protests, but historically avoided implementing them in the capital until December 2019, when the Union Government ordered the disruption and suspension of internet services as protestors gathered to peacefully demonstrate against the controversial, discriminatory Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and proposed National Population Registry. Internet shutdowns are now regularly ordered across several parts of the Indian republic, and India has been topping the global list of countries ordering internet shutdowns.

“Cutting internet access prevents ground-level reporting and the sharing of information, harming freedom of press, and preventing others from reporting and documenting those committing violence,” said Felicia Anthonio, Campaigner and #KeepItOn Lead at Access Now. “It also blocks everyday people from communicating when they most need to most, often causing more stress and confusion.”

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