‘Internet access is part of fundamental right to freedom speech’
Srinagar, Jan 10 : People across cross section of society in Kashmir on Friday termed the Supreme Court announcement on restoration of Internet services in the Valley, a welcome move and hoped that they will soon log on from their computers and mobile phones into the world of internet.
According to wire service—, on Friday, the Supreme Court of India said that the internet access is part of the fundamental right to freedom of speech, and asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to review within one week all restrictive orders in place since the government ended special status to the former state in August.
“Suspension of free movement, internet and basic freedoms cannot be an arbitrary exercise of power,” the Supreme Court said asserting that “mere expression of dissent or disagreement against a government decision cannot be reason for Internet suspension.”
Adil Rashid, who had started his new business venture this year, said that he was desperately waiting to see the internet back in Kashmir. “Finally, supreme court announcement has come as a major relief, but Jammu and Kashmir administration must now abide by the apex court directions and take some important measures to restore the services,” he said. “My entire business is dependent on internet as my order for goods and other items for my car accessories work online only.”
The SC announcement has also raised the hopes of courier service providers in Kashmir who have been literally defunct since August 5, when Centre snapped internet services on all platforms, in the wake of revocation of Article 370 and bifurcation of erstwhile State into two Union Territories—Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. Since August 5, internet services including broadband continue to remain suspended on all platforms across Kashmir.
An employee at the courier service told that they have suffered huge losses since August 5 and ironically lot of couriers couldn’t be delivered to the customers as their addresses couldn’t be tracked and they could not be contacted given the fact their numbers were pre-paid.
In Kashmir, some 26000 pre-paid phone connections continued to remain snapped since August 5 even though the J&K administration restored some 40,000 postpaid connections across Kashmir on October 14 but internet remained suspended.
As per the estimates of Kashmir Chamber and Commerce and Industries, shutdown and internet gag in Kashmir cost Valley Rs 14000 Crore to Rs 18000 crore losses besides 4.96 lakh jobs were lost due to the internet shutdown in various sectors including Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture, and other sectors.
Aijaz Rashid, a student preparing for NEET exams, said that in absence of internet facility, he has been feeling frustrated as to how to prepare for the exams. “In this modern age, life without internet is hell.
Supreme Court order is a big relief but we should be a log in to the world of internet now without any further delay,” he said. (KNO)
