Farmers' stir: Take cognisance of internet suspension during protest, political activist urges CJI
Under the present government, India holds the "disgraceful record of most internet ban amongst democracies across the globe," Poonawalla said.
Published: 08th February 2021 03:36 PM | Last Updated: 08th February 2021 03:36 PM | A+A A-
Layers of security barricades at Delhi-UP Ghazipur border during farmers protest over Centres farm reform laws in New Delhi Sunday Feb. 7 2021. (Photo | Parveen Negi/EPS)
NEW DELHI: Political activist and columnist Tehseen Poonawalla has written to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) S A Bobde urging him to take suo-motu cognisance of the "arbitrary suspension" of internet by the government whenever there is a protest.
Under the present government, India holds the "disgraceful record of most internet ban amongst democracies across the globe" Poonawalla said.
"Your Lordships, it is with great distress I am writing to you, pleading to immediately take suo-motu cognisance of the arbitrary suspension of internet by the government whenever there is a protest.
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"Your Lordships, you will agree that the internet today is an integral part of our lives. From medical records to daily livelihood, the internet is firmly embedded in today's human life," he said in the letter written to the CJI on Friday.
He further said that the "present government and their supporters brand most dissent as anti-national, most dissenters as terrorists so that they can come down heavily and curb free speech while they themselves indulge in hate and provocative statements".
