This Is the Fourth Day that Central Delhi's Internet Connectivity Continues to Be Restricted
New Delhi: Parts of central Delhi where internet was first shut off on July 20, continue to suffer from a lack of internet connectivity, on day four, July 23.
Mobile data is severely weak in the areas including Jantar Mantar, where protesters are gathered in response to police brutality, the failing education system, and the Cockroach Janata Party's demand for the education minister Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation.
On July 20, as thousands marched to parliament, internet access was drastically limited in central Delhi. There was, however, no official statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Telecommunications, the government of NCT of Delhi or the Delhi Police, unlike earlier instances of internet shutdowns.
"An unpublished order is an unaccountable order. It cannot be challenged before a court, and the judicial review guaranteed by the Supreme Court becomes illusory," the Internet Freedom Foundation had said, decrying the astounding lack of transparency.
According to the Hindustan Times, directions were issued to telecom service providers, including Airtel, Jio and Vi. Officials at two major telecom companies confirmed the government’s unpublished directive, the report said. Services were shut at 10 am and restored around 6 pm, the officials said.
However, many reported a crippling lack of connectivity at the protest site and in nearby locations since then. Although the shutdown has not been constant, as recently as late at night yesterday, the Cockroach Janata Party noted that internet had been shut down at Jantar Mantar. This coincided with a surge in the number of protesters arriving to show solidarity with those already there.
The post by the CJP showed an image from a person's text message inbox in which a telecom service provider, presumably Airtel from the person's message history, is visible. The message says, "As per the Government instructions, the internet services have been temporarily stopped in your area (sic)."
Congress leader K.C. Venugopal also noted the shutdown a day ago, posting on X:
"PM Modi has cut off internet around Jantar Mantar, which is creating immense panic.
"This is a direct assault on freedom of speech, to silence the voice of India’s youth and hide the Delhi Police’s brutalities.
"Be warned, Mr. Modi - any untoward step to quash this youth protest will be deeply disastrous and the people will deliver a historic punishment against you."
No Internet at Jantar Mantar & entire NDMC area around it
12:00 Midnight
25,000 - 30,000 GenZ present pic.twitter.com/CXTdWM8SlO
— Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) July 22, 2026
The Internet Freedom Foundation has released informative videos on how to circumvent the internet ban.
Network jammed at Jantar Mantar. BitChat + offline maps could save your protest day. pic.twitter.com/WvZroIhADM
— Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) (@internetfreedom) July 22, 2026
Even at the time of publication, internet is severely restricted at Jantar Mantar and the areas surrounding it, affecting communication, including that of news and updates from the site of the movement.
The area is home to several government and other offices and the headquarters of several news houses.
This article went live on July twenty-third, two thousand twenty six, at fifty-one minutes past one in the afternoon.The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
