Group of schools from J&K move SC for restoration of 4G internet services

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, January 25

A group of around 3,800 private schools from Jammu and Kashmir has moved the Supreme Court seeking restoration of 4G internet services in the newly created union territory, contending the restrictions adversely affected the interests of students, businesses.

The Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir has challenged the December 11, 2020, order of the central government restricting internet speed in Jammu & Kashmir to 2G on the ground that it violated  Articles 14 (right to equality) 19 (1)(a) (right to freedom of speech and expression and 21 (right to life and personal liberty of the Constitution.

The petitioner submitted that it was constrained to move the top court after more than 500 days of continuous internet restrictions which had become a routine and permanent character.

This is the second petition on the issue since January 10, 2020, when the top court declared access to the internet a constitutionally guaranteed right under Article 19 (1)(a)  of the Constitution.

 The verdict had come on a petition filed by Kashmir Times Executive Editor Anuradha Bhasin. The top court had also held that freedom to carry on trade or profession through the internet was a fundamental right under Article 19 (1)(g) of the Constitution.

 Foundation for Media Professionals had in March last year approached the Supreme Court challenging the restrictions on internet speed in Jammu and Kashmir on the ground that patients, doctors, and the general public were unable to access the latest information and advisories on COVID19.

 Later, the government had restored 4G mobile internet access in Ganderbal in Kashmir Division and Udhampur in Jammu Division but the rest of the areas in the union territory continued to have limited mobile internet speed.

The Centre has maintained that decisions depended on security scenario which was complicated due to the threat of terrorism and the strategic geo-political situation of Jammu and Kashmir.