14 May 2021
SFLC.in wrote a letter to the Jammu and Kashmir administration urging them to not impose an internet shutdown while India is in the middle of a deadly second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, since citizens need up to date and reliable health information.
This statement was originally published on sflc.in on 10 May 2021.
SFLC.in wrote to the Jammu and Kashmir administration urging them to not impose an internet shutdown in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and to ensure that citizens have access to full speed stable internet.
The erstwhile state had recently suffered from two internet shutdowns, one on 6 May 2021 in Shopian, Kashmir and the other one on 4 May 2021 in Sopore, Kashmir.
During the deadly second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic access to the internet has become even more crucial with citizens looking for resources online. Students have been taking online classes, businesses have been running online, professionals are working from home and tele-medicine is taking place. Citizens of the entire country have been looking for life-saving resources such as essential drugs, oxygen cylinders, hospital beds and ambulance services online. In absence of the internet moreover, a vaccination appointment cannot be booked as appointments for the age group of 18-44 years are only available through an online portal called Cowin, run by the Government of India.
Through this letter we have urged the administration to not impose any shutdowns.
