Half of global Internet shutdowns happened in India, 47% in Kashmir alone: Report
Srinagar: Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as the worst-affected territory due to India’s widespread use of internet shutdowns. A study reveals that nearly half of the world’s known network blackouts occurred in India, mostly in the disputed territory.
According to Kashmir Media Study, a study conducted by Stanford University (OfBlackouts and Bandhs: The Strategy and Structure of Disconnected Protest in India) reveals that India recorded 134 internet shutdowns in 2018 alone, along with over 100 disruptions during 2016 and 2017. The report highlights that the majority of these shutdowns were imposed in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The research notes that Kashmir alone accounts for nearly 47 percent of all shutdowns recorded in India between 2012 and 2017, making it the most heavily targeted region for communication blackouts.
One of the longest internet shutdowns in history—lasting 203 days—was enforced in Kashmir following the 2016 killing of Burhan Wani, which triggered widespread protests across the territory. The study further reveals that India’s cumulative internet shutdown duration between 2012 and 2017 reached over 16,000 hours, causing an estimated economic loss of more than $3 billion.
The author of the study, Jan Rydzak, has found that a large proportion of these shutdowns are implemented “during peaceful mass events such as festivals and processions”.
Experts cited in the report say that while authorities justify such measures as necessary for maintaining public order, in most cases they are used to suppress protests and restrict the free flow of information. They maintain that the frequent imposition of communication blackouts in Kashmir reflects a systematic attempt to control dissent and limit media access, raising serious concerns over digital rights and freedom of expression in the region.
They have called on international organizations to take notice of the situation, stressing that prolonged internet shutdowns not only disrupt daily life and economic activity but also deepen the sense of isolation among the people of Kashmir.
