Digital Rights Kashmir

Statement: IFF condemns the internet shutdown in Connaught Place ahead of today's protest. We are tracing the suspension order. New Delhi, 2 October 2026 The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) condemns the suspension of mobile internet services in and around Connaught Place, New Delhi, this morning. At 9:40 am, Jio subscribers in the area received a message stating: "As per government instructions Internet services have been stopped in your area till further notice." The shutdown took effect before a protest called for 11 am at Jantar Mantar, seeking the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner, had even begun. Delhi Police has refused permission for the gathering, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 are in force across New Delhi district, and entry and exit at eleven metro stations have been closed. On Gandhi Jayanti, the answer to a call for protest in the capital has been to switch off the internet for everyone who lives, works, trades and reports in its centre. We call for the immediate restoration of services. At the time of release of this statement, we have not been able to locate any suspension order published by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Telecommunications, the Government of NCT of Delhi or the Delhi Police. The public does not know who directed this shutdown, on what grounds, over what area, or until when. IFF is attempting to trace the order and will make it public as soon as we obtain a copy. In Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India, (2020) 3 SCC 637, the Supreme Court held that speech and trade over the internet are protected under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(g) of the Constitution, and that every suspension order must be published, reasoned, proportionate and limited in time. Under Section 20(2)(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024, only the Union or State Home Secretary may issue such an order, for reasons recorded in writing. The order must be published and must specify the area, the services and a fixed duration and it may be passed only where no other reasonable means would serve. A shutdown announced to subscribers as lasting "till further notice", imposed before a single person had assembled, cannot be squared with these safeguards. It follows repeated suspensions around Jantar Mantar in July 2026. Switching off the network is becoming a routine response to protest in the national capital. IFF condemns the internet shutdown in parts of Central Delhi. We call upon the Government of India and the Government of NCT of Delhi to: 1. Immediately restore mobile internet services in Connaught Place and all affected parts of Central Delhi. 2. Publish the suspension order forthwith, together with the reasons recorded in writing. 3. Disclose the issuing authority, the precise areas and services covered, and the period of operation. 4. Place the order before the Review Committee within five days, as the Rules require, and make its findings public.