Harsh Dev Singh
August 5, 2019 marked the beginning of a new era in J&K. With Art 370 gone, the state of J&K was divided into two Union territories. The announcement of division of state was immediately followed by digital clampdown in the form of gag order on internet services. It was said that the decision has been taken in public interest and that the communication lifeline would soon be restored. The people co-operated. There was no resistance. The govt restored mobile internet services on 17th August for a day only to be snapped within 24 hours. The reason was technical snag with an assurance that the facility would soon be restored. The length of the ‘soon’ however was not defined. And people waited endlessly without any response, positive or negative, from a highly apathetic regime. But on their patience running out, they started questioning the govt. “Public safety is the reason”. This was stated by some overzealous, more loyal than the king brand officers of the new UT. But how “public safety” was related to internet ban had not been specified.
Citing law and order, the helmsmen have been making disproportionate use of authority to deprive people of essential services. According to a UNESCO report, “citizens of South Asian countries experienced at least 97 instances of Internet shutdown between May 2017 and April 2018, including 82 cases in India alone. The South Asia Press Freedom Report observed that Net shutdown and deliberate slowdown were increasing across the world, with the subcontinent faring the worst”. The efficacy of these curbs, however, is debatable. In August 2017, Haryana, Chandigarh and Punjab were digitally cut-off before and after the verdict in a rape case against Dera Sacha Sauda Chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. Despite the preventive measures and internet gag around 40 persons died in violence that broke out after the sect chief was convicted.
The arbitrary and highly contemptible blanket ban on mobile internet services, has caused unimaginable losses to various sections of society. The functioning of the state including various private organizations and media houses besides others has come to a grinding halt. The business houses, banks and other commercial organizations in this era of digitalization have suffered immense losses worth hundreds and hundreds of crores due to govt’s unwarranted move. The online bookings, reservations, online shopping, student activities pertaining to filling up of forms, online studies, had been adversely impacted with huge sufferings caused to general masses. Besides, the telecom companies had already charged several crores of rupees from lacs of subscribers as rent for using internet services for these days. It is note worthing that while PM Modi is propagating social media as a potent weapon of social change, his colleagues in J&K are a party to the obnoxious ban imposed on internet and social media. Further the highly reprobate decision of the govt has conveyed a very misleading massage to the outside world about the security scenario in the state whose economy was largely dependent upon tourism and pilgrimage.
The communication blockade by the Govt in the form of internet ban and the use of brute force against those who questioned its illogical and queer policies amply demonstrate the authoritarian style of functioning of the present regime.
Enforcing digital gag without substantial provocation is an infringement of the right to freedom of speech and expression. The govt can’t deny the internet services to society only for the reason that it is likely to be mis-used by a handful of miscreants. It would be like ordering the motor cars to stop plying on the roads for fear of accidents, or closing down the banks so as to prevent bank robberies from happening. The mis-information and fake news could be countered by law enforcement agenises and cyber cells constituted for the purpose. Repressive measures only go to undermine the democratic quotient of our constitutional architecture. Excessive use of force and suppression would only prove counterproductive. Clampdown and crackdown need to be used as the last resort.
Five months have elapsed. The govt is non-committal over the issue which is irking the common masses who have sustained irreparable losses due to the apparently arbitrary decision of the govt. Prolonged internet blockade of this kind has never happened before. BJP after assuming power has been often resorting to such authoritarian moves only to demonstrate its authority and power. Such tactics would only aggravate public outrage against the government’s highhandedness. Stalling mobile internet services has adversely impacted the normal life as broadband facility is not available everywhere. Social and economic life has also been thrown out of gear. The Government should tighten its security network rather than harassing the people for absurd, unjustifiable reasons.
Most pertinent question, however, is the justification for the internet gag in peaceful Jammu. There has absolutely been no untoward incident after the abrogation of Art 370 in the region. What for are the people of Jammu being punished then? A few hours of internet ban in Delhi during CAA protests had the entire national capital crying foul. Should the govt not imagine the plight of the peace loving people of Jammu who have been divested of the communication lifeline for the last five months? Would any one listen please?
(The writer is former Education Minister of J&K and Chairman of JKNPP)
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