Letter to Bihar Government regarding Internet Shutdowns
SFLC.in sent a letter to the Bihar Government with reference to the internet shutdown imposed in various districts of the state. The order numbered C/C.I.Misc-4013/2017-01 Home Deptt. Cont. Room/Patna was issued on 17 June 2022 imposing a shutdown in Kaimur, Bhojpur, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Buxer, Nawada, West Champaran, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Baishali and Saran. Further, it was reported that internet was suspended in 8 more districts- East Champaran, Sheikhpura, Darbangah, Muzafarpur, Gaya, Madhubani, Khagaria and Jehanabad and the suspension continued till 20 June 2022. However, no order has been found for this extension of internet shutdown.
The letter voices concern on an extremely unfortunate event. It has been reported that a B.Tech student at Chandigarh University, residing at Kaimur district of Bihar failed to appear in his online examination due to sudden shutdown of the internet services. Due to this the student committed suicide. The student was said to be under stress because of lack of access to internet which then caused the inability to appear in examination. This event brings to light the graveness of impact internet shutdowns can have on residents of an affected area. This also highlights the importance of government responsibility while deciding to shutdown the internet.
The letter sent to the Bihar Government can be accessed below:
Dated: 21 June 2022
To,
Chaitanya Prasad
Additional Chief Secretary to the Government
Home Department
Government of Bihar
secy-home-bih@nic.in
Subject: Major loss suffered by students due to the internet shutdown by the state governments
Dear Sir,
I hope this finds you well.
This is with reference to the internet shutdown imposed by the Bihar Government in various districts of the state. The order numbered C/C.I.Misc-4013/2017-01 Home Deptt. Cont. Room/Patna was issued on 17 June 2022 imposing a shutdown in Kaimur, Bhojpur, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Buxer, Nawada, West Champaran, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Baishali and Saran. Further, it was reported that internet was suspended in 8 more districts- East Champaran, Sheikhpura, Darbangah, Muzafarpur, Gaya, Madhubani, Khagaria and Jehanabad and the suspension continued till 20 June 2022. However, no order has been found for this extension of internet shutdown.
This is to bring to your notice an extremely unfortunate event. It has been reported that a B.Tech student at Chandigarh University, residing at Kaimur district of Bihar failed to appear in his online examination due to sudden shutdown of the internet services. Due to this the student committed suicide. The student was said to be under stress because of lack of access to internet which then caused the inability to appear in examination. This event brings to light the graveness of impact internet shutdowns can have on residents of an affected area. This also highlights the importance of government responsibility while deciding to shutdown the internet. The newspaper report is attached with our letter.
We would like to request the state to duly issue order before suspending internet services in an area and follow the safeguards laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India [ WP (C) No. 1031/2019]. Further, it is requested to impose an internet shutdown only when it is necessary and unavoidable as internet shutdowns have a harrowing impact on citizens and are often disproportionate in nature. Internet shutdowns are bound to cause economic loss, an impact on education, healthcare and other welfare schemes.
We thus request the Government to pay due consideration before ordering Internet Shutdowns, so that such unfortunate events are avoided in the future.
SFLC.IN is the first Indian legal services organization that works exclusively on technology, law, and policy. As a not-for-profit organization engaged in the empowerment of Indian citizens about their digital freedom and rights, it operates as a collective bringing together different stakeholders to a common platform to further the cause of digital rights.
Regards,
Sincerely,
Prasanth Sugathan
Legal Director
SFLC.IN
prasanth@sflc.in
Copy to:
1. Satyendra Prasad, BAS
Sub Divisional Magistrate, Mohania
sdo-mohanniya-bih@nic.in
2. Saket Kumar, BAS
Sub Divisional Magistrate, Bhabua
sdo-bha-kai-bih@nic.in
