New Delhi, Jan 11, TEN Network | Jammu-Kashmir government will convene a high-level meeting on Saturday to discuss the restoration of internet services in the region a day after Supreme Court’s (SC’s) order. A decision on restarting broadband services in a phased manner will be taken after taking feedback from district deputy commissioners and SPs.
Kashmir, where the internet has been suspended since August 5, has seen the longest internet clampdown in the history of a democratic country.
Ruling on a batch of petitions including the one on internet restrictions in the state, the apex court on Friday said access to the internet is a fundamental is protected under Article 19 of the Constitution. A bench asked the government to review all orders pertaining to suspension of internet and other restrictions within a week.
Freedom of Internet access is a fundamental right,” Supreme Court justice NV Ramana said.
“Kashmir has seen a lot of violence. We will try our best to balance the human rights and freedoms with the issue of security,” a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice NV Ramana, Justice R Subhash Reddy and Justice BR Gavai remarked. Justice Ramana read out the operative part of the verdict.
The bench said it will not delve into political arguments and added, “We are only here to ensure the citizens are provided with their rights. We will not delve into the political intent behind the orders given.”
The court directed the government to put all orders related to all such restrictions in Jammu-Kashmir in the public domain within a week.
“It is no doubt that freedom of speech is an essential tool in a democratic setup. The freedom of Internet access is a fundamental right under Article 19(1)(a) of free speech,” the Supreme Court bench said. (TN)
