In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisioned a “digital India,” fostering innovation and connectivity for 1.2 billion citizens. Fast forward to 2024, and India boasts a 52.4% internet penetration rate with 751.5 million active users. However, paradoxically, the government’s push for a digital future is overshadowed by its consistent trend of shutting down the internet.
India has earned the dubious distinction of being the world leader in internet shutdowns, attributing them to various reasons such as maintaining law and order, curbing protests, or preventing exam cheating. In 2022 alone, the country witnessed 84 shutdowns, surpassing even conflict-ridden regions like Ukraine.
The repercussions are profound, as internet disruptions disrupt daily life, impact the economy, and hinder access to accurate information. The 552-day shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir, triggered by the revocation of autonomous status, left 500,000 people unemployed and showcased the far-reaching consequences of communication blackouts.
Despite a 2020 Supreme Court ruling deeming indefinite suspensions unlawful, shutdowns persist. The state of Punjab faced a three-day blackout in 2023, impacting 30 million people and causing economic standstill. Manipur’s prolonged shutdown, initiated to maintain law and order after ethnic clashes, paralyzed education and business, illustrating the overreach of such measures.
While the government cites preventing misinformation as a rationale, experts argue that the shutdowns exacerbate the problem. Without internet access, people resort to informal networks, increasing the risk of misinformation. The inability to fact-check allows rumors to proliferate, posing a significant threat to social harmony.
Experts suggest that, in many cases, internet shutdowns serve to shield the government from embarrassment, preventing the world from witnessing the extent of its failures. The International Freedom Foundation emphasizes that such extreme measures should only be a last resort, narrow, and as short as possible. As India grapples with the tension between digital aspirations and the recurrent shutdowns, the impact on its citizens and the global perception of its digital evolution remains a critical concern.