Home Ministry orders mobile internet suspension near Jantar Mantar
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New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry on Thursday ordered the suspension of mobile internet services for eight hours in and around Jantar Mantar, where students have been protesting against alleged examination irregularities, in a move aimed at maintaining public order, an official said.
The suspension will remain in force from 4 p.m. to midnight on Thursday within a 1.5-km radius of Jantar Mantar.
In its order, the Ministry said the Secretary was satisfied that suspending mobile internet services was necessary in the "interest of public order and for preventing incitement to the commission of any offence".
The order, issued by Under Secretary Mahendra Vikram Singh, directed the suspension of mobile internet services across all technologies "with effect from 16.00 Hrs on July 23 to 24.00 Hrs on July 23 at and around a radius of 1.5 kms of Jantar Mantar."
The order was issued under the powers conferred by clause (b) of sub-section (2) of Section 20 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, read with clause (b) of sub-rule 1 of Rule 2 and sub-rule 1 of Rule 3 of the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024.
Earlier, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Jitendra Singh said the government had made four formal proposals for talks with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) over the past 24 hours, but the party had remained "unresponsive and uncommunicative" to the government's outreach.
The Union Minister told IANS that the government had reached out with "utmost humility" to the students protesting at Jantar Mantar, stressing that dialogue was the only constructive way to resolve the stalemate.
"We are waiting for them. Our doors are open 24x7. We have approached them at least four times in the past 24 hours. We seek their participation in talks on all issues, including NEET," he said.
The Union Minister urged the students to come forward for discussions, saying the government was keen to resolve the issues through dialogue in their interest.
He added that Union Minister J.P. Nadda, who is the government's interlocutor, would hear the students' concerns and address them. The students, he said, were free to choose the "hours and topics of discussion".
"The talks could take place either at J.P. Nadda's office or residence and at any convenient time," he said, adding that he would also participate in the discussions.
The Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sensitive to the students' concerns and announced the setting up of fast-track courts to ensure speedy justice and prosecution of those responsible for paper leaks.
Reiterating the Prime Minister's concern for India's youth and their future, he said the fast-track courts would ensure that those found guilty face the law and are punished for their actions, while justice is delivered without delay.
The CJP-led student protests over alleged NEET paper leaks have been underway at Jantar Mantar for more than a month, while the hunger strike by social activist Sonam Wangchuk entered its 26th day on Thursday.
With IANS inputs