A report by UNESCO has revealed the threat to basic rights of a citizen in India, with increasing internet shutdowns in the country. The Clampdowns and Courage-South Asia Press Freedom Report 2017-18 counts at least 97 instances of internet shutdowns in South Asia, and a whopping 82 of these happened in India. In comparison, India’s neighbour Pakistan had 17 instances, while Sri Lanka had one over the course of the year. Bangladesh and Afghanistan’s attempts to implement internet shutdowns were largely averted by timely public outcry, the UNESCO report states. The report defines internet shutdowns as “any intentional disruption of the broadband or mobile internet or internet-based mobile apps, by an order of the authorities or threat of non-state party, to control communication or online content or slowing down the access to general public”. These shutdown not only have huge economic costs, they also restrict access to vital information for citizen and impede the work of journalists. The UNESCO report says, “They pose a threat to human rights and block the public’s right to know; and have emerged as a significant tool of censorship by governments which are increasingly utilising shutdowns under the guise of security.” Shutdowns in India Kashmir was the hotbed of internet shutdown over the past year, which saw nearly half of the total shutdowns in India. In Darjeeling, a 45-day internet shutdown was ordered due to political demonstrations, protests and clashes by activists. Bihar’s Nawada also had a shutdown for 40 days. Internet services were suspended…
