India Cuts Internet for Millions to Quell Citizenship Law Protests
The Indian government maintains a 36-hour internet blackout across Assam and Meghalaya to suppress protests against a new citizenship law. India leads the world in executing internet shutdowns, drawing criticism from the United Nations and digital rights groups.
India keeps the internet shut down in the states of Assam and Meghalaya for over 36 hours to control growing protests against a controversial new citizenship law. The blackout affects more than 32 million people and includes the suspension of texting services in Meghalaya. This drastic measure follows the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill, which offers a path to citizenship for non-Muslim minorities from three neighboring countries but excludes Muslims.
State officials claim the blackout prevents social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter from spreading rumors and inflaming public passions. To further contain the situation, the government sends in troops to patrol the streets of the northeastern states. The United Nations previously condemns this type of internet blackout, labeling it a clear violation of human rights, and there is currently no official timeline for when internet services will resume.
This recent shutdown highlights a worrying global trend where governments cut off web access to control information, with India leading the world by a wide margin. Digital rights group Access Now reports that India accounts for 134 of the 196 documented internet shutdowns worldwide in 2018. With about 91 additional shutdowns already documented this year, including a 133-day blackout in Jammu and Kashmir, the world's second-largest internet market continues to rely heavily on digital blackouts to manage domestic unrest.