A SOCIO-CONSTITUTIONAL ANALYSIS OF INTERNET SHUTDOWNS AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION IN INDIA

INTRODUCTION During the last decade, the number of internet shutdowns has been alarmingly rising. Access Now, in its annual report “Keep It On,” noted that there have been more than 1,600 instances of internet shutdowns globally. In India alone, as reported by the same report, there have been approximately 860 cases, which accounts for a huge share of the total. If we look at the “Shutdown History” published by the Internet Society, it presents quite disturbing statistics on the pattern of internet shutdowns. Since 2018, 434 instances have been tracked, totaling 91,603 hours, and the country has also witnessed 27 shutdowns during the last 12 months. The article delves deeper into the misuse of executive power and how it hinders the public's rights. It also examines whether these discretionary and arbitrary powers are an overreach of constitutional protection by the administration.