Internet services temporarily suspended within 4-km radius of Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing ahead of Oct 10 protest
Mobile internet services suspended within 4km of Janpath-Kartavya Path in Delhi ahead of a major protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10.
Delhi internet shutdown protest preparations have escalated as authorities announced a temporary suspension of mobile internet services in a massive 4-kilometre radius around the Janpath-Kartavya Path crossing. The blackout, which spans 24 hours, comes as security forces brace for a high-stakes demonstration scheduled for October 10.
24-Hour Connectivity Blackout in Central Delhi
Following authorization from the Union Home Secretary, the suspension is set to take effect from 10:00 PM on Friday until 10:00 PM on Saturday. The order, issued by Manishi Chandra, IPS, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell), has been formally communicated to all telecom service providers to ensure the suspension of all mobile internet technologies in the affected zone.
The decision was made under the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024, as part of a strategic move to manage law and order in the national capital. The restricted area covers a significant portion of central Delhi, impacting the vicinity of the Janpath-Kartavya Path intersection.
Protest Demands Accountability from Election Commission
The security crackdown is a response to a planned protest at Jantar Mantar. Demonstrators are seeking direct accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar regarding the SIR exercise. While the protest aims to voice grievances, the Delhi Police have already rejected the application for permission to hold the demonstration.
Police officials cited several reasons for denying the permit, including:
- The short notice provided for the application.
- Alleged non-compliance with previous directions during earlier demonstrations.
- Prevailing concerns regarding law and order in the capital.
Political Tensions Rise as Kejriwal Issues Call to Action
The planned demonstration has become a flashpoint for political friction. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has urged citizens to join the protest, leveling serious allegations against the BJP-led central government. Kejriwal claimed that democracy is being undermined through the mass deletion of votes belonging to those who do not support the ruling party, while alleging that fake votes are being added to the system.
"I appeal to all the people across the entire country that the way the BJP government at the Centre is playing with our democracy, people's votes are being deleted on a mass scale," Kejriwal told reporters, specifically naming Gyanesh Kumar in his critique of the electoral process.
Despite the lack of official police permission, activists from the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), including Abhijeet Dipke, have signaled that the organization intends to proceed with the protest at Jantar Mantar as planned, regardless of the regulatory hurdles.