Lawyers express concern at Delhi internet blackout

Expressing concern over the internet suspension at the farmers' protest site, a delegation of lawyers have shot a letter to Chief Justice of India SA Bobde. The lawyers also sought an investigation into the 'police inaction' on the R-Day during the tractor parade.

New Delhi: At least 141 lawyers have written to the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde against the internet suspension at Singhu, Ghazipur, Tikri and their adjoining areas in Delhi-NCR. They have also sought the constitution of a commission to enquire into the alleged police inaction and its role in controlling the violence on Republic Day.

The delegation of lawyers also sought action against 200 'local hoodlums' engaged in violence and action against the journalists and channels spreading fake news about farmers. Lawyers have urged the top court to take a suo moto cognisance of the matter and quash the Home Ministry's order of internet suspension.

"The state-of-the-art political scenario of the year 2021 is witnessing a paradigm shift wherein there has been incessant vilification and ostracization of the farmers protesting against the three farm laws over 6 months. Aggravating the issue further, many mainstream media channels are determined to change their names from Farmers or annadattas to terrorists or Khalistanis," read the letter.

READ:SC refuses to entertain pleas on tractor rally violence

Lawyers alleged that fear and shock has aggravated with the Home Ministry's order of 29th January wherein it suspended the internet services and deprived people of their basic right of expressing opinions through internet.

Citing Supreme Court's judgement in Anuradha Bhasin v Union of India and Foundation for Media professionals v Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (suspension of the internet in Kashmir) lawyers contend that central government has grossly misused their power.

"As internet services remain suspended in and around the protest venues and its adjoining areas for the sixth consecutive day, farmers are rightly convinced that their voices are being shunned down and only one sided narrative of the government is being pushed forward, which is a clear attack on the fundamental values of the constitution," read the letter.

READ:Followers of jailed ‘godman’ Rampal booked for distributing objectionable religious books