The Internet is a key enabler of many fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and expression. SFLC.in, through internetshutdowns.in has been recording instances of internet shutdown since 2012. Through this blog post, we are documenting internet shutdowns as well as content takedown during the farmers' protests, which began on February 13th, 2024.  The farmers' movement had undertaken a call for a march on February 13th, 2024, to press their demands for Minimum Support Price (MSP), justice for Lakhimpur Kheri violence, load waivers and other issues. 

These protests have once again highlighted a troubling trend: the use of internet shutdowns and social media bans to curtail communication and suppress dissent. While the government cites security concerns, these measures raise serious questions about the democratic space in India.

Similarly, silencing voices on social media through account suspensions and content takedowns restricts the free exchange of ideas and undermines the right to peaceful assembly. These actions create a chilling effect, discouraging individuals from expressing their opinions and participating in online discourse.

While maintaining public order is crucial, stifling legitimate dissent through digital restrictions is counterproductive. Open dialogue, even when uncomfortable, is essential for a healthy democracy. The government must engage with the farmers' concerns and address them through constructive conversations, not through censorship.

Furthermore, internet shutdowns disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, disrupting access to essential services like healthcare and education. These measures undermine the very freedoms they claim to protect, hindering India's progress towards a truly inclusive and equitable society. We have collected several such instances as part of our Internet shutdowns tracker here.

There were instances of widespread shutdowns in 2021 during farmers' protests as well, where many parts of Haryana and the NCT of Delhi faced internet shutdowns[1]. SFLC.in had moved to Punjab and Haryana High Court to challenge these shutdowns as well. 

Here is a timeline of events: 

February 12th, 2024, Monday, the Delhi Police invoked Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code and banned large gatherings across the National Capital Region till March 12th, 2024, as a precautionary measure[2]. 

February 12th, 2024 Monday, the government of Haryana imposed an internet shutdown in seven districts bordering Delhi-Haryana, namely, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Katihal, Jind, Hisar, Sirsa, and Fatehabad[3]. The shutdown was imposed from  06:00 AM on 11/02/2024 to 11:59 PM on 13/02/2024 and was followed by an imposition of Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code banning all large gatherings. 

February 13th, 2024, Tuesday, SFLC.The legal director, Prasanth Sugathan, wrote to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Haryana to reconsider and take down the order banning mobile internet services in select districts of Haryana[4]. 

February 13th, 2024 Tuesday, the Twitter(X) Handles of farmer leaders who had previously been having discussions with the Union Minister were blocked. The Twitter handles are as follows: @phool_surjeet, @rammanmaann1974, @bkuSbs, @PandherSarvan, Tveer_13, and @tractor2twitr_i[5].

February 13th, 2024, Tuesday, the government of Rajasthan imposed an internet shutdown in 3 districts bordering Punjab-Haryana, namely Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar, and Anupgarh. The internet shutdown order was imposed for a day between 13/02/2024 and 14/02/2024 and was followed by an imposition of Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code banning all large gatherings[6].

February 13th, 2024, Tuesday, the Twitter(X) and Instagram handles of Kisan Ekta Morcha were blocked upon a legal request by the government[7]. 

February 13th, 2024, Tuesday, the government of Haryana extended internet shutdown till 11:59 PM on 15/02/2024 in seven districts bordering Delhi-Haryana, namely, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Katihal, Jind, Hisar, Sirsa, and Fatehabad[8]. 

February 14th, 2024, Wednesday, SFLC.in’s Legal Director, Prasanth Sugathan wrote to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan to reconsider and take down the order banning mobile internet services in select districts of Rajasthan[9].

February 14th, 2024, Wednesday, the Twitter(X) of news outlet Gaon Savera (@GaonSavera) as well that of Punjab-based local journalist Sandeep Singh (@PunYaab) was reportedly withheld based on a legal request by the government[10].

February 15th, 2024, Thursday, the Twitter(X) Handles of @FarmersFront @mandeeppunia1 @PunYaab @PandherSarvan @bkuSbs, and @ashokdanoda were reportedly withheld based on a legal request by the government[11].

February 16th, 2024, Friday, as per news reports, the Union Government issued two orders on February 10th and February 12th respectively to shutdown internet services in seven districts of Punjab, namely, Patiala, SAS Nagar, Bathinda, Sri Mukhtsar Sahib, Mansa, Sangrur, and Fatehgarh Sahib till February 16[12].

February 16th, 2024, Friday, the Ministry of Home Affairs imposed extended internet shutdown in seven districts of Punjab, namely, Patiala, SAS Nagar, Bathinda, Sri Mukhtsar Sahib, Mansa, Sangrur, and Fatehgarh Sahib till February 17th[13].

February 19th, 2024, Monday,  the government of Haryana extended internet shutdown till 11:59 PM on 19/02/2024 in seven districts bordering Delhi-Haryana, namely, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Katihal, Jind, Hisar, Sirsa, and Fatehabad[14].

February 20th, 2024, Tuesday,  the government of Haryana extended internet shutdown till 11:59 PM on 20/02/2024 in seven districts bordering Delhi-Haryana, namely, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Katihal, Jind, Hisar, Sirsa, and Fatehabad[15].

February 21st, 2024, Wednesday,  the government of Haryana extended internet shutdown till 11:59 PM on 23/02/2024 in seven districts bordering Delhi-Haryana, namely, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Katihal, Jind, Hisar, Sirsa, and Fatehabad[16].

February 22nd, 2024, Thursday, the Twitter(X) Handles of @FarmStudioz, @Rattan1990, @TribalArmy, @HansrajMeena, @ManojSinghDuhan, @KMajdoormorcha, @AnujSinghBKU, and @FarmStudiozz were reportedly withheld based on a legal request by the government[17].

February 26th, 2024, Monday, the Twitter(X) Handles of @guranmeet, @Tractor2twitr_P, @bhavjitsingh_, @ramanmann1974, @APillania, @Tractor_Times, @du_jat were reportedly withheld based on a legal request from the Government[18]. 

February 27th, 2024, Tuesday, the government of Haryana imposed internet shutdown in Ambala district till 11:59 PM on 29/02/2024[19].

February 27th, 2024, Tuesday, the Union Government imposed internet shutdown in Sangrur and Patiala district of Punjab from 12:00 AM on 28/02/2024 to 11:59 PM on 01/03/2024[20].

March 01st, 2024, Friday, the Union Government imposed internet shutdown in Sangrur and Patiala districts of Punjab from 12:00 AM on 02/03/2024 to 11:59 PM on 05/03/2024[21].

March 5th, 2024, Tuesday, the Twitter(X) Handles of @garvitgarg15 was reportedly withheld based on a legal request from the Government[22].

SFLC.in has sent a letter to the Haryana Government to reconsider its decision to impose an internet shutdown for 3 days in seven districts. It is stated in the order that the shutdown of internet is being imposed in view of the call for farmers march/agitation given by certain organisations and, there being an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage of public & private property, and disturbance of peace & tranquillity in the said districts.

It is to be noted that this suspension of Internet services across the State is bound to impact livelihood, education and health care for lakhs of people in the State as 96 percent of the population in India depends on mobile internet services. It is requested to the Government to reconsider its decision to impose an internet shutdown for 3 days in the select districts. Such a measure is disproportionate and excessive for multiple reasons.

The letter can be accessed at: SFLC.in's Letter to the Hon'ble CM of Haryana

Manipur has been reeling under an internet shutdown. After 142 days, the State Government in Manipur finally lifted a total internet shutdown that had been imposed since May 3rd, 2023. However, this relief lasted for a period of only 3 days, with the State suspending mobile internet services once again for a period of 5 days, eerily reminiscent of the last 3 months. This article will map out what has been one of the longest ever internet shutdowns ever imposed in India and present an analysis of the recurring extensions to what was meant to be a 5-day long internet shutdown. First imposed state-wide on 3rd May, the shutdown was finally lifted in totality on 23rd September, before mobile internet was suspended once again on 26th September and has continued to be so till December 3rd, 2023, when the state saw some relief. Here, the timeline of the internet shutdown will be traced, including the extensions, legal challenges raised, partial unblocking, and eventual total lifting of the shutdown orders.

Background

The internet shutdown in Manipur running over 200 days, shows the extent to which the internet has become a part of our life, becoming inextricably linked with the Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression under Article 19, and the Right to Life under Article 21. Our economy, livelihood, education system, and communication are affected by the lack of access to the internet. This lack of access plays out in the inability to pay rent, the inability to access online education resources, the inability to register for exams, and the inability to even conduct one’s job.

Since May 3rd, Manipur has been reeling under an unprecedented internet shutdown which has affected citizens every facet of their lives. The districts of Churachandpur and Pherzawl were shut down even longer, with the first internet shutdown in the current spate of violence being imposed on 28th April, 2023. This is the longest shutdown imposed in the North-East, the longest shutdown in 2023, and the longest shutdown outside of the State of Kashmir in India. The last time an entire State was shutdown in India was earlier in 2023, when the State of Punjab was subjected to a total internet shutdown for a period of 5 days.

A stringent measure adopted by the Government, internet shutdowns have turned into an escape mechanism of sorts, adopted by the government to control situations of public emergency[1]. However, the irony about Internet shutdowns is that public safety and public emergency the grounds on which internet shutdowns are ordered to justify the suspension of telecom and internet services in an area, are not defined under Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act[2]. This gives unlimited power to the government to issue orders of blanket bans on the Internet services even for routine policing and administrative purposes, thereby causing inconvenience to the public. 

Internet shutdowns were declared a violation of the freedom of expression in Anuradha Basin vs Union of India[3] by the Supreme Court of India. However, we have seen repeated violations of this judgment, with Orders not being published, Review Committees not being set up, and Orders for shutdowns being disproportionate to the situations for which they have been imposed. Courts so far have been silent on the continuous violation of this judgement.

This case study will map out the legal challenges that were raised against the imposition of the internet shutdown, the partial lifting of the curbs by the State, and the interim reliefs provided to the populace.

Manipur High Court- Challenge against the internet shutdown

The fact that an internet shutdown was able to stop even the wheel of justice for two entire months is a point of particular concern in the case of Manipur. After a spate of hearings, the High Court of Manipur[4], in its Order on the 7th of July directed the Government of Manipur to restore the internet in a limited fashion[5]. However, the Home Ministry of Manipur disagreed with the direction of complete restoration of fibre internet and requested time to do pilot tests.

Analysis

At the outset, it is important to note that internet shutdowns disproportionately impact people and are a tool that must be used sparingly. It has been reiterated by SFLC.in and other experts that the suspension of Internet services across States is bound to impact livelihood, education, and health care for lakhs of people, as around 96 percent of the population in India depends on mobile internet services for a variety of uses. Apart from this, businesses rely on broadband services to provide their services, manage logistics, and access their bank accounts.

The expansion of the society and its structures into the digital realm has warranted a protection of rights in this new dimension as well. This has been judicially recognized in Faheema Shirin R.K. vs The State of Kerala[6] and Anuradha Bhasin vs Union of India[7], by the Honourable High Court of Kerala, and the Supreme Court of India has recognised that the exercise of certain fundamental rights is contingent on access to internet. More specifically, in Faheema Shirin, it was held that restricting access to internet violated students’ rights to access information under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, and their rights to education and privacy under Article 19(1)(g). Arbitrary and disproportionate internet shutdowns violate these, and several other rights.

Further, in Anuradha Bhasin, the Court observed that

             “we think it necessary to reiterate that complete broad suspension of telecom services, be it the Internet or otherwise, being a drastic measure, must be considered by the State only if ‘necessary’ and ‘unavoidable’.”

The Manipur internet shutdowns must be analysed in the light of the same. It is important to note that to offset the economic losses caused by shutdowns, and to enable a path for communication, and to ensure an uninterrupted flow of information and news to the public, internet services had been made available to state and national media houses through SWAN under the Dept. of Information Technology. Network connections were also provided to Manipur Press Club through the DIT. Further, certain facilitation centres were opened by the Government at different locations to allow candidates of competitive examinations to download their admit cards or print them. Temporary centres were also opened during working hours for use by the public. However, these Centres were present only in certain areas of Imphal, and not the entire State of Manipur. Indeed, as was noted by one Journalist-

               “The primary concern that I faced as a journalist was the inability to do my job at all due to lack of access to the internet. As someone who doesn't have access to Wi-Fi, I lost access to the internet on the 3rd of May. During my job, while we could record videos and contact sources, the only way we could communicate this to our head office was through SMS. Since SMS has a short word limit, I had to sit and type multiple messages to send one single story. It was only once we left the State that we regained access to the internet. While in Manipur, there were certain government offices that still had internet connectivity. However, because multiple people were connected to the same singular network, it took a long time to even download a simple press release. The lack of access to internet has therefore made it very difficult for me to do my job effectively.”

Access to the internet was fettered by geographical as well as technical issues.

There exist some prevalent issues with the shutdown in and of itself. While shutdowns are meant to ostensibly ensure public order and public safety, the Manipur shutdown is a textbook case as to how shutdowns only exacerbate harms. Violence and conflict in the State continued repeatedly through the last 140 days, despite the total internet shutdown. This raises a serious question on the efficacy of shutting down the internet, especially when the action in question restricts an entire catena of citizen rights.

When the Manipur HC heard the matter of the internet shutdown, it passed an Order with the following directions-

• Limited Internet Service: All service providers operating in Manipur may be allowed to provide internet service to a restricted number of specially identified and whitelisted mobile numbers. These numbers will be provided by the Home Department of the Government of Manipur and the internet service will be exclusive to the identified mobile numbers, with no possibility of leakage or unauthorized access.
• Safeguards for Broadband Connections: Internet service through broadband connections, including Internet Lease Line (ILL) and Fibre To The Home (FTTH), can be provided with certain safeguards in place. These safeguards include dedicated lease lines or FTTH lines with static IP, banning of Wi-Fi/hotspots, MAC binding at the system level or router, blocking of social media websites and VPNs, removal of existing VPN software, and prohibiting installation of new software without authorization. Physical monitoring by the concerned authorities is also enforced.
• In respect of whitelisting mobile phone numbers, the State Government was directed to carry out a physical trial to find out the feasibility of providing internet service to the whitelisted mobile phones without jeopardizing the security of the State and the life and property of citizens, and after such verification, a detailed report was asked to be submitted before the Court on the next date of hearing.

This Order, while welcome, raised a new host of questions to be answered. For limited internet services to be provided, the Court asked for a whitelist of numbers to be created. There is no direction on how these numbers will be identified, what the metrics for whitelisting are, and whether there is a process to apply for whitelisting in case one’s mobile number is not added to the initial whitelist. Further, there has been no intelligible differentia provided in the selection process, which could be a violation of Article 14.

Secondly, while internet services through broadband connections are allowed with safeguards, the Court fails to make the distinction that only around 4% of the population has access to broadband services. A whopping 96% of Indians are served only through mobile internet, and the whitelisting approach for the same therefore impacts a far larger chunk of the population. It is only businesses and the rich who can afford a broadband connection in the first place. Further, the safeguards which have been imposed are problematic too. These include banning of Wi-Fi/hotspots, MAC binding at the system level or router, blocking of social media websites and VPNs, removal of existing VPN software, and prohibiting installation of new software without authorization. Essentially, these mean that it would be only large businesses that would be utilizing broadband services for their needs, rather than common citizens using it for their daily affairs. Blocking of VPN’s and social media is highly problematic as well. The very fact that the Court mentions physical monitoring of these broadband connections highlights the fact that they are numerically small enough to make physical checks possible in the first place.

The issue of access to the internet is not one that can be taken lightly. There needs to be extensive deliberation before a decision to whitelist a number, or block a particular platform is taken. Ringfencing the internet is not the solution to a law-and-order issue, and the concerns of the State ring hollow when situations of violence occur even in the presence of an internet shutdown.

Partial Lifting of the Internet Shutdown

In Manipur, both mobile internets, as well as broadband internet services have been cut off for the general population of the State, leading to a position of acute hardship and suffering. After 83 days of incessant internet shutdowns, the Manipur Home Department in an Order finally allowed for some (conditional) relief to the public.

Citing the suffering of common folk, the order lifted the shutdown of broadband services on the fulfillment of certain conditions, while continuing to enforce the mobile internet shutdown. The Order detailed that ‘the internet ban had affected important offices/ institutions, cohort of people on work from home basis, chartered Accountant firms, Lawyers, Health facilities, refueling centers, recharging of electricity/ mobile, booking for LPG, educational institutions, Taxation related offices, other online based citizen centric services etc.’ Apart from this, students, gig workers, and small businesses faced tremendous difficulties.

The measure to provide relief for the citizenry is a welcome measure. However, it must be noted that only around 4% of all internet users access it through broadband internet services. 96% of Indian internet users use mobile internet, for which no relief has been granted yet.

Interestingly, the Order also has no end date, a clear violation of the principle established in Anuradha Bhasin vs Union of India, which stated that an order suspending internet services indefinitely is impermissible under the Suspension Rules. All the orders previously issued in Manipur had a fixed time limit of 5 days, or 120 hours.

The conditions listed in the Order briefly state that physical monitoring will take place, TSPS and ISPs will be liable for certain compliances, and subscribers themselves will be punished if the terms are not complied with.

The Conditions are as follows:

1. Connection will be only through static IP and that the subscriber concerned shall not accept any other connection other than allowed for the time being [TSP/ISP shall be held responsible for non-compliance of this condition];
2. No Wi-Fi/ Hotspots shall be allowed from any of the routers and systems using the connection at any cost by the subscriber concerned.
3. Media Access Control Address (MAC) binding at the system level or router shall be ensured with the help of ISP/TSP concerned;
4. Blocking of social media websites and VPNS at the local level will be ensured by the subscriber concerned;
5. Shall have to ensure removal of any existing VPN software from the system and not to install any new software/VPN App by the subscriber concerned;
6. Enforcing Physical Monitoring by subscriber concerned/the concerned authority/officials of checking violation of the terms and conditions specified;
7. Changing of log in ID and Password for respective system on daily basis; and
8. Will obey all orders/ Regulations regarding any change in the condition under which service is being allowed issued by the State Government from time to time by the subscriber concerned.
9. Further, in the event of any violation, subscriber concerned will be liable to be punished as per provisions of relevant laws of the land in force and that I also agree to be fixed personally responsible for any leakage/ activities done by any Secondary user of internet, in case Wi-Fi Hotspot had been activated without approval of Home Department from my system/router.
10. ISP shall ensure to obtain undertaking to the extent as explained above before giving any internet connection in the prescribed format without fail.

The fact that Static IP’s are the only ones permitted mean that very few subscribers will be able to access the internet. Static IP is usually only used by corporates, banks and their like, rather than individual consumers who rely on dynamic IPs assigned by ISPs. Further, the condition that no Wi-Fi or hotspots will be allowed translated to the fact that only those with laptops or computers in their offices will be able to access the internet. Phones will be unable to access the internet, making it impossible for people to utilize services if they are not in the vicinity of the router.

Second MAC binding at the system level could ensure that only recognized devices would be able to access the internet. The obligation here is placed on TSPs/ISPs to ensure compliance. This would mean that these service providers would have to keep a list of all permissible devices per router.

The order also details that the subscriber should ensure that social media websites are blocked, along with VPN’s. Further, subscribers will have to ensure the removal of any existing VPN software from the system and not to install any new software/ VPN App. This measure is not only hard to implement, but also overly restrictive. It places unreasonable burdens on consumers, and especially in the case of people who depend on social media for their livelihood, puts them in a situation where doing their job will land them in trouble. Apart from this, the order also states that users will have to change their login and passwords daily. This is overly prescriptive, and an inconvenience to consumers.

The requirement of physical monitoring by authorities is equally improbable to implement. The presence of a condition like this points to the fact that there are numerically insignificant broadband connections which would fall under the ambit of the order. If not, it would be impossible for physical monitoring to take place.

The order suffers from many shortcomings. It is essentially granting relief to only 4% of the population which can afford to use broadband connections. The multiple conditions mentioned in the order are not easy to understand for the common public. Additionally, they are heavy on the user and telecom service providers. The order provides very minimal relief to a minuscule part of the population. We would like to urge the State Government to revisit the order, lift the shutdown and ensure that internet is available to all the citizens of the state in a fair and transparent manner.

The State also partially lifted the mobile internet ban on 1st September, but only for a very small segment of the population. This was limited to only whitelisting certain mobile numbers including only Governmental Officers and Members of Parliament. This is an exceedingly small number, which provides no relief to the general populace that has been suffering since May. The onus is now on the Government to roll out this whitelisting scheme in a broader fashion, to enable access to the internet, and to eventually end the prolonged internet shutdown. This was finally actualized by the State Government on 23rd September, 2023, when the internet shutdown was finally totally lifted in the State.

Reversal of Position

On 26th September, 2023, the State reinstated a 5 day mobile internet shutdown up till the 1st of October. Only 3 days of uninterrupted access to the public was provided, before the internet was shut down again.

The latest order

On December 1st, 2023, the Hon’ble High Court of Manipur in the on-going Public Interest Litigation reiterated that the state can not continue with the blanket mobile internet shutdown, since internet services are a part of right to free speech, a fundamental right conferred under Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The court relied on the recent internet shutdown orders and stated that the directions of the court for reinstating internet services are not being followed by the state and urged the state to restore the internet in areas not affected by violence. It stated that:

            “We are permitting you to impose reasonable restrictions in accordance with law but you can’t obliterate the right. Except for a few areas, the State is by and large peaceful. Why should the services not be restored? Why does the State have to say that the situation is not normal? The situation is normal according to the State [in most areas]. So let everybody know that the situation is normal, except in [the affected] areas.”

The bench further observed that while it was cognizant of the national security implications of restoring internet services in affected areas, the rights of those living in other areas of the State would have to be considered as well. It opined that nobody could deny that internet services today are a part of freedom of speech, albeit with reasonable restrictions. The court also emphasized that the internet shutdown has gravely affected a citizen’s right to approach the justice system and such a mechanism cannot be allowed to continue without just cause.

The court has also sought a detailed status report from the State on its orders pertaining to the restoration of internet services in areas of Manipur which were unaffected by violence.

Timeline

April 28, 2023

Section 144 was enforced, coupled with a five-day suspension of internet services in Churachandpur. Demonstrators and security personnel clashed, leading to the use of tear gas shells by the police to scatter the crowd.

May 3, 2023

Thousands rallied for the Tribal Solidarity March against Meiteis' inclusion in the ST category, organized by ATSUM. Over 60,000 attended. Violence erupted in Torbung, Churachandpur. 11 injured, 2 casualties in Saikul, Kangpokpi. Security forces intervened, imposing mobile internet shutdown orders in eight districts.

May 4, 2023

Violence erupts in Imphal. Security forces, including Rapid Action Force, Army, CRPF, Assam Rifles, and state police, deployed to restore order. Shoot-at-sight order issued in extreme cases. Approximately 9,000 people rescued and sheltered; more being relocated to safer areas. Broadband internet suspended.

June 20, 2023

Manipur High Court orders limited internet access in state-controlled areas, potentially easing restrictions. The directive, in response to petitions against the ban imposed by CM Biren Singh, addresses public needs, especially in student admissions and essential services.

July 7, 2023

In the case of Aribam Dhananjoy Sharma @ Paojel Chaoba & ors. vs State of Manipur, the Court issued directives to alleviate public hardships resulting from the complete internet ban in the State. The order also aimed to uphold State security and safeguard the lives and properties of citizens.

July 17, 2023

Manipur Govt. seeks Supreme Court intervention in the Aribam Dhananjoy Sharma case. The Supreme Court, on July 17, denies appeal, directs Manipur to address High Court with implementation difficulties regarding internet order.

July 20, 2023

The Manipur High Court's internet shutdown order was emphasized by the Supreme Court on July 20. It pointed out that the reporting of events has been severely hampered by the shutdown, rendering any meaningful response from other parts of the country impossible.

July 25, 2023

After 83 days of shutdown, the Government reinstated internet leased line and fiber-to-the-home broadband services, in response to the Manipur High Court's order. However, mobile data and VPN services remained suspended, still rendering the situation akin to an internet blackout. With 96% of users relying on mobile data in India, only 4% having access to broadband, the blockade persists for the majority, infringing upon the constitutionally-protected rights of residents for over a hundred days.

August 5, 2023

ATSUM (All Tribal Students' Union Manipur) enforces economic blockade in protest of unannounced amendments instead of a Bill that promised greater autonomy of the hill region, affecting supplies to Imphal valley. Five student leaders arrested for alleged conspiracy. Mobile internet remains suspended, prohibitory orders in place post-protests.

August 9, 2023

Despite the gradual return to normalcy, the State Government's internet shutdown order, initially issued on May 3 and 4, 2023, has been automatically extended around 20 times, this trend continuing till the latest extension order passed on August 9, 2023.

August 12, 2023

The Manipur High Court, presided over by Justice Ahanthem Bimol Singh and Justice A Guneshwar Sharma, has directed the state government, led by Biren Singh, to explore options for reinstating mobile internet services for the public.

September 1, 2023

In compliance with the Manipur High Court's directive, the state government has introduced a system for whitelisting mobile numbers to enable internet access. Previously, broadband services had been reinstated. An official order, endorsed by the Governor of Manipur, has authorized the second phase of mobile number whitelisting.

September 23, 2023

The 142 days long internet shutdown was finally lifted in Manipur. Internet fully restored in the State.

September 26, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in Manipur for a period of 5 days once again, until 1st October. News of the deaths of 2 youngsters spurred the latest rounds of violence, resulting in another shutdown.

October 1, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in Manipur for another 5 days again, until 6th October. The current order was brought under the apprehension that anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and videos to incite violence.

October 6, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in Manipur for another 5 days again, till 11th October. Like the previous order, the new order was brought under the apprehension that anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and videos to incite violence.

October 11, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in Manipur for another 5 days, till 16th October. The shutdown order was a result of state’s attempt to curb transmission of images, hate speech and videos to incite violence.

October 16, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in Manipur for another 5 days again, till 21st October. Like the previous order, the new order was brought under the apprehension that anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and videos to incite violence.

October 21, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in Manipur for another 5 days again, till 26th October. Like the previous order, the new order was brought under the apprehension that anti-social elements might use social media extensively for transmission of images, hate speech and videos to incite violence.

October 26, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in Manipur for another 5 days, till 31st October. The shutdown order was a result of state’s attempt to curb transmission of images, hate speech and videos to incite violence.

October 31, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in Manipur for another 5 days, till 5th November. The shutdown order was a result of state’s attempt to curb transmission of images, hate speech and videos to incite violence.

November 5, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in Manipur for another 3 days, till 8th November. The shutdown order was a result of state’s attempt to curb transmission of images, hate speech and videos to incite violence; and also elements of imminent danger of loss of life and /or damage to public/private property, and wide spread disturbances to public tranquillity and communal harmony, as a result of inflammatory material and false rumours, which might be transmitted/circulated to the public through social media/ messaging services on mobile services, SMS services and dongle services specially in the context of the recent incidents of violence in some parts of the State;

November 8, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in Manipur for another 5 days, till 13th November. The shutdown order was a result of state’s attempt to curb transmission of images, hate speech and videos to incite violence. The State Government also emphasized that the government has already started easing the restrictions in select areas not affected by the violence.

November 13, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in Manipur for another 5 days, till 18th November. The shutdown order was a result of state’s attempt to curb transmission of images, hate speech and videos to incite violence. The State Government also emphasized that the government has already started easing the restrictions in select areas not affected by the violence.

November 18, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in Manipur for another 5 days, till 23rd November. The shutdown order was a result of state’s attempt to curb transmission of images, hate speech and videos to incite violence. The State Government also emphasized that the government has already started easing the restrictions in select areas not affected by the violence.

November 23, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in Manipur for another 5 days, till 28th November. The shutdown order was a result of state’s attempt to curb transmission of images, hate speech and videos to incite violence. The State Government also emphasized that the government has already started easing the restrictions in select areas not affected by the violence.

November 28, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in Manipur for another 5 days, till 3rd December. The shutdown order was a result of state’s attempt to curb transmission of images, hate speech and videos to incite violence. The State Government also emphasized that the government has already started easing the restrictions in select areas not affected by the violence.

December 3, 2023

Mobile internet was suspended in select areas of Manipur for another 15 days, till 18th December. The government order mentions that the State Government has decided to relax the suspension of internet/mobile data, MMS services in the State of Manipur except for the areas still facing volatile law and order situation.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court was pleased to issue notice to the Union of India on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Software Freedom Law Center, India (SFLC.in) challenging the imposition of Internet Shutdowns to prevent cheating in examinations in the five states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and West Bengal today. It was argued by Ms. Vrinda Grover, Adv. that the guidelines issued in Anuradha Bhasin vs. Union of India (2020) 3 SCC 637 were persistently not complied with. The Union of India which was impleaded as a party respondent on the direction of the Court, has been asked to clarify the standard protocol with respect to the grievance raised and the extent of compliance thereto by the States. The Union has been directed to file its reply within 3 weeks. The next hearing will take place after 4 weeks.

SFLC.in had filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution before the Supreme Court of India against the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and West Bengal challenging the arbitrary imposition of Internet Shutdowns during examinations. The State of Assam was impleaded in the petition as well. India is the leader in imposing Internet Shutdowns gloablly. The phenomenon of blanket internet bans during examinations to prevent copying has become common in several Indian states. Such bans primarily target mobile internet services.

Legal Team

The PIL is being argued by Ms. Vrinda Grover, Adv., assisted by Mr. Prasanna S (Advocate on Record), Soutik Banerjee, Swati Arya & Yuvraj Singh Rathore, Advs. and lawyers from SFLC.in Mishi Choudhary (Founder, SFLC.in), Prasanth Sugathan (Legal Director), Radhika Jhalani (Volunteer Legal Counsel and lead Internet Shutdowns Project) , Mythili Srinivasamurthy (Volunteer Legal Counsel), Arjun Adrian D’Souza (Volunteer Legal Counsel).

The Petition has been attached below for your perusal.

Link to PDF

SFLC.in has sent a letter to the Manipur Government to reconsider its decision to impose an internet shutdown for 5 days in the entire state. It is stated in the order that the shutdown of internet is being imposed after it was reported that a van was set ablaze by a group of 3/4 youths suspected to be of a certain community which has created “tense communal situation and volatile law and order situation in the State”.

It is to be noted that this suspension of Internet services across the State is bound to impact livelihood, education and health care for lakhs of people in the State as 96 percent of the population in India depends on mobile internet services. It is requested to the Government to reconsider its decision to impose an internet shutdown for 5 days in the entire state. Such a measure is disproportionate and excessive for multiple reasons.

The letter can be accessed at - https://sflc.in/sflcins-letter-reconsider-internet-shutdown-manipur

On 25 May 2022 an internet shutdown was imposed in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh. The shutdown lasted over 7 days. According to the internet shutdowns tracker maintained by SFLC.IN, this was the first recorded internet shutdown in Andhra Pradesh. Suspension of the internet was ordered after there were widespread protests in the district. The agitation took place against the government’s announcement to rename Konaseema as B R Ambedkar Konaseema. According to the order provided in the reply, suspension of the internet was issued to prevent disruption of public order. It stated that there was huge damage to public and private property and the government apprehended that such a situation will continue for some more days. Additionally, there was apprehension of more disruptions due to spread of false information. Therefore, government considered that in the interest of public internet services have to be shut down. There is no end date, and the order was not published as well.

The full letter can be accessed at - https://sflc.in/7-day-long-internet-shutdown-andhra-pradesh-violation-supreme-court-india-guidelines-rti-response