SC ORDER FAILS TO ENTHUSE

The Supreme Court’s recent verdict that the access to the Internet is a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution brought smiles on the faces of subscribers in Jammu and Kashmir, where the facility has been suspended for a record 24 weeks now.

But as the authorities chose to play for time the hope generated by the top court’s seeking a review of the restrictive orders imposed ahead of the Centre’s stripping the erstwhile state of its special status and splitting it up into two Union Territories on August 5 last year was soon belied.

The ruling termed the indefinite suspension of Internet services as “impermissible” and said that restrictions can “be temporary only”. However, it fell short by not issuing an order for immediate restoration of Internet services.

Prof. Sheikh Showkat Hussain said he was never optimistic “as the court directions are seldom respected by the authorities in J&K”. Attorney and human rights activist Pervez Imroz endorsed him but added that the SC had only asked the government to review its decision and by saying that “it put the ball back in its court and gave it red herring to deny the facility to people”.

Meanwhile, the Internet shutdown in the Union Territory has caused economic distress. Also adversely affected are the media and medical fraternities, students, travel organizations, trade startups, entrepreneurs, online services and others, evoking severe criticism at home and abroad.

According to Sheikh Ashique, president Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Valley’s economy suffered a loss of about `18,000 crore in first four months of the post-August 5 restrictions and communication blockade.