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The Supreme Court said that the indefinite shutting down of internet in Jammu and Kashmir was impermissible and repeated prohibitory orders banning large assemblies was an abuse of power as it asked the J&K administration to review the restrictions that have been imposed in the region for the last five months. It has given government a week’s time to review all curbs imposed.
The Supreme Court was hearing a batch of pleas, including that of Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad challenging the restrictions imposed in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir following abrogation of provisions of Article 370.
The internet blackout and restrictions on movement have severely disrupted the lives of millions and had an impact on everything from college admissions to businesses filing tax returns.
The government had imposed a communications lockdown in August as it aimed to control unrest after abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution, stripping the Muslim-majority region of its autonomy.
Ruling that the right to access internet is constitutionally protected and internet can be shut down only in exceptional circumstances, a three-judge bench said an indefinite suspension of the internet was a violation of the country’s telecoms rules.
Reacting to the Supreme Court verdict on J&K, Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress, Media Cell Chief tweeted
SC delivers first big jolt of 2020 to illegal activities of Modi Govt by stating importance of internet as a fundamental right.
Double shock for Modi-Shah that dissent cannot be oppressed by imposing section 144.
Modiji reminded that nation bows before Constitution and not him! pic.twitter.com/guiuctcOva
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) January 10, 2020
