Cuttack’s 48-hour internet ban during Durga Puja sparks debate on safety versus human rights in today’s digital India
Sonanki Sahu
Which is more important, public safety or human rights? This year, Durga Puja in Cuttack was different, not for its iconic festive fervour or splendid silver and gold medhas (backdrop) decorations, but for its unexpected 48-hour internet shutdowns imposed in two phases. The Government of Odisha suspended Internet services across the Millennium City for 48 hours after communal conflicts broke out during Maa Durga idol immersion procession.
From India’s first such Internet shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir in 2009 to the latest one in Cuttack, the issue of clampdowns continues to raise many ethical and constitutional dilemmas.
While the suspension of internet services in the city came in the wake of escalating communal tensions, reports claimed that some inflammatory posts on social media allegedly fuelled the conflict. It is believed, to combat misinformation, maintain law and order, and prevent the tensions from flaring up further, the State Home Department implemented temporary curbs on mobile and broadband internet services.
While the authorities justified the shutdown as necessary for the greater good of peace and welfare in the city, it has reignited the broader question – should safety override fundamental human rights or vice versa?
Surprisingly, India, the largest and fastest growing democracy in the world, also holds the dubious record for witnessing most Internet shutdowns worldwide. From Centre to States, many Governments have chosen to resort to such tough measures for social, political as well as security reasons. Authorities often justify such moves as preventive measures. But question rises; are Internet shutdowns, an appropriate and effective way to deal with these conflicts?
According to The Access Now report, India despite being one of the most peaceful nations, witnessed 84 internet shutdowns alone in 2024, just one less than Myanmar which reported highest number of suspensions during the period. Even though the clampdowns were mostly related to protests, communal riots, and law enforcement concerns, these are an unacceptable number for a country like India.
In 2021, about 80% of all shutdowns in India were in the disputed Himalayan region compared to 58% a year later. In 2022, worldwide a total of 187 Internet shutdowns were reported, and 84 were from India alone. More than half of them were witnessed in Kashmir. The following year, in 2023, figures of such shutdowns in India jumped to 116 with states like Manipur and Punjab recording alleged ethnic violence and law and order concerns as primary causes.
Public safety is important, yet, the frequent and broader nature of internet bans undermines principles of constitutional and democratic freedom. Thus a more balanced approach – one that involves targeted restrictions pertaining to limited areas and timeframes with transparency and accountability is need of the hour.
If India aspires to uphold liberty with safety, it should choose a path of peace which does not come at the expense of fundamental rights.
(The writer is a PG student in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Rama Devi Women’s University, Bhubaneswar)