Delhi's Longest Internet Shutdown During Students' Protest
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
Delhi witnessed its longest internet shutdown during a protest by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of then education minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The government issued seven orders suspending mobile internet services around Jantar Mantar over five days, with the final extension until midnight on July 25, 2026. Services were restored early after Pradhan resigned and the protest was called off.
Background
The shutdown began on July 20, 2026, with a suspension from 10am to 6pm in parts of central Delhi. Subsequent orders extended the suspension repeatedly, with only July 21 seeing no order. The affected area was a 1.5-km radius around the protest site, including key locations like Janpath Market and hotels.
Key facts
The internet shutdown lasted five days (July 20-25, 2026), the longest in Delhi's history.
Seven suspension orders were issued by the government to telecom service providers (TSPs).
Services were restored before the midnight deadline after Pradhan's resignation and protest withdrawal.
TSPs had not received a formal revocation order until late Saturday evening.
The shutdown affected a 1.5-km radius around Jantar Mantar, including Janpath Market, Le Meridien, and the National Media Centre.
Digital rights organization SFLC.in challenged the shutdown in the Delhi High Court.
The protest was by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Pradhan resigned on July 25, leading to the protest being called off.
Prelims pointers
- Cockroach Janta Party (CJP)
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Telecom Service Providers (TSPs): Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea
- SFLC.in (Software Freedom Law Centre, India)
- Delhi High Court
- Section 144 (likely invoked for shutdowns)
Mains angles
- GS2: Fundamental rights (Article 19 - freedom of speech and expression, right to internet access) vs. public order
- GS2: Role of judiciary in protecting civil liberties during protests
- GS3: Internal security - use of internet shutdowns as a tool for maintaining law and order
- GS2: Governance - accountability of executive in issuing suspension orders