At today’s hearing, the Government cited national security concerns and objected to the Petitioner’s and the Intervenors’ demand for disclosure of orders issued under the Telecom Suspension Rules.
The Supreme Court allows Foundation for Media Professionals and Indian Journalists Union to intervene in Anuradha Bhasin’s petition against the communication shutdown in Kashmir.
In today’s hearing, the SC wondered if the 40 day long suspension of telecom and internet services in Kashmir was a shutdown or breakdown. It finally directed the Govt. to file its response to the writ petition and intervention applications and urged selective restoration of communication channels.
The Petition argues that the communication shutdown violates Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. The legal basis for the communication shutdown still remains unknown and the interim prayer seeks transparency.
The developments of the past few days are of immense consequence to the future of our democracy, and the voices from Jammu and Kashmir need to be heard the loudest, not silenced en masse.