Mobile Internet Services to Resume in Kashmir with Restrictions

The administration of Jammu and Kashmir has finally decided to restore the broadband and mobile internet connectivity across the union territory starting from 25th January 2020, a day before the Republic Day, but with restrictions. 

Internet access will now be limited only to whitelisted websites, and social media platforms, which will remain out of bounds for the residents of the union territory. But the Internet connectivity, which will be extended to the entire region, will now rely on the relatively slower 2G-technology connectivity. 

According to the government order, Data services will be available on the postpaid as well as prepaid Sim cards, adding that the relaxation on restrictions over the internet will again come up for review on January 31, less than a week later.

More than six months have passed since the centre has imposed the internet blackout in Jammu and Kashmir in order to prevent public reprisals against the decision to scrap the special status from the state, which has been bifurcated into two separated union territories. Now with this move, data access has been extended across the union territory.

According to the order issued by the home department of the Jammu and Kashmir administration, “It is hereby directed that mobile data services and Internet access through fixed-line shall be allowed across the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir with the following restrictions. The aforesaid direction shall come into effect from January 25, 2020, and remain in force till January 31, 2020, unless modified earlier”.

The internet blackout in the Jammu and Kashmir valley had drawn condemnation from rights activists and agencies from across the world. The decision to relax the restrictions on the valley has come after the Supreme Court, in response to a petition ordered an immediate review over the resumption of the internet in the valley, earlier this month. 

The Supreme Court then said, “Suspension of free movement, Internet and basic freedoms cannot be an arbitrary exercise of power”, adding that the Internet connectivity is integral to the individual’s right to freedom of speech and expression. The decision bench also maintained “expression of dissent or disagreement against a government decision cannot be reason enough for Internet suspension”. 

Though some senior officials in the centre, including VK Saraswat, NITI Aayog member had maintained that imposing the communications blackout on Jammu and Kashmir was a positive step by the Central government.  He also said, “What difference does it make if there is no Internet? You only watch dirty films”.