The frequent internet shutdowns in Manipur present a dire and concerning situation that demands immediate attention and analysis. These disruptions have become a recurring issue, severely impacting the daily lives of the people and hindering the region’s economic, educational, and social progress. The editorial analysis should delve into the underlying causes of these shutdowns, their implications on the local population, and the need for a balanced approach that addresses security concerns without compromising citizens’ fundamental rights and access to information. It should also emphasize the importance of finding sustainable and non-disruptive solutions to maintain peace and stability in the region while upholding democratic values and freedoms.
Tag: GS Paper-2: Indian Constitution; Government Policies and interventions.
Exam View:
Internet shutdowns deepen the digital divide; Internet shutdowns affect fundamental rights; Internet shutdowns have real economic costs; Accountability for shutdowns; Lessons from the past.
Context:
Nearly three months after an internet shutdown was first imposed across Manipur, people in the state still do not have unhampered access.
Decoding the editorial:
Internet shutdowns deepen the digital divide
- Mobile internet services in Manipur remain suspended. These services
- have far greater penetration than broadband and Wi-Fi, particularly in rural areas, and
- are used by the majority of internet subscribers (more than 90 percent).
- On July 25, the Manipur government permitted certain types of limited and conditional access following some of the recommendations of an expert committee.
- Permitted Internet Lease Line or Fibre to the home connections is limited to a small section (less than five percent), and largely urban institutional users.
- As a result, this disproportionately hurts those with fewer resources and only deepens the digital divide. It contradicts the government’s vision of a Digital India.
Internet shutdowns affect fundamental rights
Ban on social media continues in Manipur. Internet access is also conditional on MAC Address binding, static IPs, and a ban on Virtual Private Networks.
- Rights to free expression, freedom of assembly, and privacy
- Greater monitoring of all online activities and tracing of the user’s location impedes the exercise of fundamental rights amid a crisis when people’s need for them is even more pressing.
- Right to carry out one’s trade or profession through the internet
- It is a fundamental right as per the Supreme Court, which has become affected.
- Unreasonable restrictions
- Fundamental rights can only be limited in a reasonable and proportionate manner.
- Restricting people’s ability to connect, and then effectively bringing all the ways in which they can connect under surveillance, is neither reasonable nor proportionate.
- Right to information
- Lack of access to an open and secure internet and social media affects the flow of information from and to the state, weakens reporting, and therefore the ability to bring those responsible for the ongoing violence to account.
- People’s ability to share and verify information, and access online civic spaces has also become limited.
Internet shutdowns have real economic costs
- These impact individuals as well as the country at large.
- The six-month communication blockade in Kashmir in 2019 left more than five lakh people unemployed, and Rajasthan saw losses of Rs 800 crore due to shutdowns over one month in 2021.
- In 2016, a Brookings paper estimated that India suffered a loss of Rs 7,932 crores due to shutdowns between July 2015 and June 2016.
- These figures understate the problem, not just because all shutdowns are not reported, but also because they do not include the unorganized sector.
Accountability for shutdowns
Shutdowns are often imposed by state authorities
.
The responsibility to reform the legal framework authorising the imposition of shutdowns through the Telegraph Act and its rules, and implement rights-respecting changes, rests with the central government.
Impunity and lack of answers from authorities remain an issue.
On July 26, the central government was asked in the Lok Sabha about the number of shutdowns in the last three years, estimated losses, and whether it intended to do anything to minimize these, eliciting recrimination and no concrete answers.
Lessons from the past
- The Manipur government needs to recall the lessons from the Jammu and Kashmir communications blockade of 2019-2020.
- The Union government had initially imposed a complete internet shutdown for six months, and gradually lifted suspensions after a court intervention, starting with painfully ineffective 2G connections, blocking VPNs and social media.
- However, the government is simultaneously ignoring the law that resulted from the Kashmir shutdown. The Government of India revoked the special status, or autonomy, granted under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir.
Supreme Court in the Anuradha Bhasin judgment held that shutdowns violate fundamental rights, and may be imposed only when it is proportional, reasonable, necessary, and the least restrictive measure. It continues to be ignored.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ 1: Why do internet shutdowns frequently occur in Manipur?
Answer: Internet shutdowns in Manipur are often enforced by government authorities due to security concerns, particularly in response to civil unrest, protests, or threats to public safety. The shutdowns are intended to prevent the spread of misinformation and curb communication among potential troublemakers.
FAQ 2: How do internet shutdowns affect the people of Manipur?
Answer: Internet shutdowns have significant adverse effects on the people of Manipur. They disrupt daily life, hinder access to vital information, impede education, limit economic activities, and restrict communication with friends and family. These shutdowns have both short-term and long-term consequences for the local population.
FAQ 3: Are there any legal provisions for internet shutdowns in Manipur?
Answer: Internet shutdowns in Manipur are often implemented under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), which allows local authorities to impose restrictions on gatherings and communication during emergencies. However, these shutdowns must adhere to legal guidelines and be proportionate to the situation, as ruled by the Supreme Court of India.
FAQ 4: What steps can be taken to address the issue of frequent internet shutdowns in Manipur?
Answer: To address this issue, it is essential for both the government and civil society to work together. Authorities should consider more targeted measures that don’t disrupt the entire internet infrastructure. Public awareness and advocacy campaigns can also help highlight the negative impact of shutdowns, leading to greater accountability and more balanced decision-making.
FAQ 5: How can individuals and businesses in Manipur prepare for internet shutdowns?
Answer: While individuals and businesses cannot prevent shutdowns, they can prepare by keeping essential information offline, having alternative communication methods in place, and supporting local initiatives that advocate for the responsible use of internet shutdowns. Being resilient and adaptable can help mitigate the impact of these disruptions on their lives and activities.
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