Bot at 16:54, 6 November 2022

2022-11-06T16:54:23Z

New page

{{short description|Information about censorship in Indian State Kashmir}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
'''[[Censorship]] in [[Kashmir]]''' involves the [[Censorship in India|censorship]] of both [[news media]] and [[social media]] as part of the [[Kashmir conflict]].

According to the [[Software Freedom Law Center]], the [[Internet censorship in India|internet in Kashmir was blocked]] at least 31 times from 2012 to 2016.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-39741886|title=India: Kashmir social media ban criticised|work=BBC News}}</ref>

== 2010 protest censorship ==
A protest reportedly took place in the [[Indian Administered Kashmir]] against the summer of 2010, when 15 people were killed in three weeks by the [[Indian Armed Forces]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Protests in Indian Kashmir|url=http://www.economist.com/node/16542619?story_id=16542619A|access-date=10 June 2012|newspaper=The economist|date=8 July 2008}}</ref> Army's help was sought to restore law and order after protests by people as Government virtually [[Political censorship|banned the media]] in the Valley by imposing severe restrictions on journalists.<ref>{{cite news|title=Curbs on media in Kashmir Valley|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article504178.ece|access-date=July 7, 2012|newspaper=The Hindu|date=10 June 2012}}</ref> The revolution was allegedly carried out by youth who disseminated information to the outer world in view of the gagging of media,<ref>{{cite web|last=Magnier |first=Mark |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-kashmir-tea-20100708,0,4889993.story |title=Kashmir violence: A beating to go with the tea |work=Los Angeles Times |date=2010-07-08 |access-date=2010-08-01}}</ref> newspapers and [[SMS]] services.

== July 2016 media outlet ban ==
The ban of media in 2016 in Kashmir began 10 days after the killing of Burhan Wani, a popular rebel group leader in Kashmir. Protests against the killing of Wani broke out in the streets as young Kashmiris attacked the police.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/indepth/2018/12/28/a-year-of-death-destruction-and-censorship-in-kashmir|title=A year of death, destruction and censorship in Kashmir|last=Bhat|first=Aamir Ali|website=alaraby|language=en|access-date=2019-04-27}}</ref> Wani was a social-media-savvy insurgent who affected the lives of the majority of Kashmiris, requesting them to follow his path through social media and newspaper posts. These protests led to more than 33 deaths and hundreds being severely injured. The riots and protests got so unruly that the government decided to impose serious actions on the media while they struggled to bring the situation under control. The government decided to shut down cable TV operators and private cellphone services, as well as banning daily newspapers. The government called this an ‘information blockade’ as they believed that young and emotion lot of people out on the streets that are surcharged by certain media publications.{{clarify|date=March 2020}} The newspapers refrain from publishing content deemed inappropriate by the government but this was the first time there was a ban imposed on the newspapers. Police officials and security forces raided printing presses and seized copies of newspapers. The ban lasted for over a week in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/07/18/modi-government-shuts-down-newspapers-in-strife-torn-kashmir/|title=Authorities in India shut down newspapers in strife-torn Kashmir|last=Lakshmi|first=Rema|date=July 18, 2016|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>

== April 2017 social media ban ==
In April 2017, the authorities in [[Indian administered Kashmir]] (IAK) banned several social media sites after they believed that they were being used as a tool to indulge violence and terrorism amongst the youths by anti-national elements.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/05/11/social-media-ban-kashmir-india/101518484/|title=Frustrations grow over social media ban in Kashmir|website=USA TODAY|language=en|access-date=2019-04-27}}</ref> The government of IAK regularly blocked internet connections but this was the first time such a step was taken on social media. Over the past five years, the government blocked internet signals over 28 times and in 2016, the internet connection was blocked for about five months. The social media sites and apps blocked included [[WhatsApp]], [[Snapchat]], [[Facebook]], [[Twitter]], [[WeChat]], [[Skype]], [[Pinterest]], and [[Vine (service)|Vine]]. The government described this ban as an action to control the political space in IAK. Due to this ban, riots broke down in certain IAK regions. The protests started in the southern district of Pulwama by certain ringleaders. Hundreds of students have taken it to the streets, some chanting antinational slogans while others attacking the police using rocks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/04/facebook-twitter-social-media-banned-kashmir-170426132038275.html|title=Facebook, Twitter, other social media banned in Kashmir|website=www.aljazeera.com|access-date=2019-04-25}}</ref>

== Censorship on Facebook ==
Several newspapers and magazines, such as ''Free Press Kashmir'', ''Wande Magazine'', and ''Lost Kashmir History'', have been censored on [[Facebook]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newsclick.in/kashmir-hub-media-censorship|title=Kashmir: A Hub of Media Censorship|work=News Click}}</ref>

== 2019-20 Jammu and Kashmir lockdown ==
{{Main|2019-20 Jammu and Kashmir lockdown}}
On August 5, 2019, a security lockdown and communications blackout was imposed to prevent protests during which thousands of people, mostly young men, have been illegally detained in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=At Least 2,300 People Have Been Detained During the Lockdown in Kashmir |url=https://time.com/5657293/india-kashmir-detention-security-lockdown/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821182839/https://time.com/5657293/india-kashmir-detention-security-lockdown/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 August 2019 |magazine=Time |date=August 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kashmir city on lockdown after calls for protest march |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/23/kashmir-city-srinagar-india-lockdown-calls-protest-march |work=The Guardian |date=23 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Inside Kashmir's lockdown: 'Even I will pick up a gun' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-49294301 |work=BBC |date=10 August 2019}}</ref>

The lockdown started on 5 August 2019 following [[Revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir]] via scrapping of the [[Article 370 of the Constitution of India]], [[Article 35A of the Constitution of India]] and the introduction of [[Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Restrictions eased as Kashmir enters Day 22 of lockdown |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/restrictions-eased-as-kashmir-enters-day-22-of-lockdown/articleshow/70839690.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=26 August 2019 |access-date=15 February 2020 |archive-date=26 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826101759/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/restrictions-eased-as-kashmir-enters-day-22-of-lockdown/articleshow/70839690.cms |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=No respite in sight as J&K lockdown enters 25th day |url=https://www.asianage.com/india/all-india/300819/no-respite-in-sight-as-jk-lockdown-enters-25th-day.html |work=The Asian Age |date=30 August 2019}}</ref> Since 5 August, no foreign journalists have been granted permission from the [[Indian government]] to report in Kashmir.<ref name="VoA">{{cite news |title=US Senator Barred From Kashmir as Lockdown Enters 3rd Month |url=https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/us-senator-barred-kashmir-lockdown-enters-3rd-month |work=Voice of America |date=5 October 2019}}</ref>

According to a September 6 report of the Indian government, nearly 4,000 people have been arrested and detained in the disputed region. Among those arrested were more than 200 politicians, including two former [[Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir|chief ministers]] of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), along with more than 100 leaders and activists from [[All Parties Hurriyat Conference]].<ref name="reuters">{{cite news |title=Thousands detained in Indian Kashmir crackdown, official data reveals |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-kashmir-detentions/thousands-detained-in-indian-kashmir-crackdown-official-data-reveals-idUSKCN1VX142 |work=Reuters |date=September 12, 2019}}</ref>

The lockdown ended with the resumption of all communication services, allowing 4G and 3G Internet services, in early February 2021.<ref name=":1">[https://zeenews.india.com/india/as-4g-gets-restored-foriegn-envoys-expected-to-visit-jammu-and-kashmir-2341731.html As 4G is restored in Jammu & Kashmir, Centre plans another trip for foreign envoys | India News | Zee News]</ref>

==Censorship on internet==
'''Censorship on internet''' refers to the restrictions on telecommunication such as [[broadband]] as well as [[Mobile broadband|mobile internet]] imposed by the government of India or state administration. In August 2019, the [[Government of India]] barred all broadband as well as mobile internet services in the region to prevent the [[Hoax|deliberately fabricated falsehood]] on social media. In January 2020, 2G internet was resumed with no access to social media.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/2g-mobile-internet-to-be-restored-in-kashmir-from-midnight-120012401741_1.html | title=2G mobile internet services to be restored in Kashmir from midnight| newspaper=Business Standard India| date=24 January 2020| agency=Press Trust of India}}</ref> Although some cases of [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] infection have been confirmed in the region, authorities continued to enforce the 4G internet ban, preventing people from getting important information about the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and its safety tips.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kashmir-survived-without-4g-internet-for-months-with-coronavirus-it-really-needs-it-1659883-2020-03-26 |title = Kashmir survived without 4G internet for months, with coronavirus, it really needs it}}</ref> Medical institutions has described 4G ban a risk factor for COVID-19 deaths in J&K, as the information about WHO's guideline on testing and its countermeasures remained inaccessible in the region.<ref name="The Wire 2020">{{cite web | title=Doctors Write Open Letter to PM Modi on 4G Access for Jammu and Kashmir | website=The Wire | date=26 March 2020 | url=https://thewire.in/rights/doctors-write-open-letter-to-pm-modi-on-4g-access-for-jammu-and-kashmir | access-date=27 March 2020}}</ref> [[Amnesty International]] also urged government to restore 4G internet in critical situation of pandemic disease.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/amnesty-international-asks-govt-to-restore-4g-services-in-kashmir/article31109509.ece |title = Amnesty International asks govt to restore 4G services in Kashmir}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/03/mitigate-risks-of-covid-19-for-jammu-and-kashmir-by-immediately-restoring-full-access-to-internet-services/ |title = Mitigate risks of Covid-19 for Jammu and Kashmir by immediately restoring full access to internet services}}</ref> Doctors, according to news media, are not able to deal the coronavirus due to non-availability of 4G internet and lack of significant information available online.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/die-cattle-kashmiris-fear-coronavirus-outbreak-200322151405218.html |title = 'We'll die like cattle': Kashmiris fear coronavirus outbreak | Kashmir News News | al Jazeera}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/restore-4g-net-services-in-jk-to-fight-coronavirus-amnesty-international/ | title=Restore 4G net services in J&K to fight coronavirus: Amnesty International| date=19 March 2020}}</ref> In April - May 2020, [[Supreme Court of India]] heard a batch of writ petitions challenging the ban on 4G internet services. J&K administration opposed the plea stating that ''"the right to access the internet is not a fundamental right".''<ref>{{Cite web|title=4G Internet Services in UT of Jammu and Kashmir|url=https://onelawstreet.com/4g-internet-services-in-ut-of-jammu-and-kashmir/|date=2020-04-08|website=One Law Street|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref> On 11 May 2020, Supreme Court disposed of these petitions refusing the request for restoration of 4G internet services. Court, however, constituted a special committee composed of senior bureaucrats to look into the issue. The committee ironically was composed of the bureaucrats having a major hand in imposing the censorship.

=== Later development ===
High-speed cellular internet has been restored across the UT since February 2021.<ref name=":1" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

*[[Media in Jammu and Kashmir]].
*Seshu, Geeta, '[https://www.epw.in/engage/article/kashmir-media-policy-accentuating-curbs-freedom-press Kashmir Media Policy: Accentuating the Curbs on the Freedom of Press]', "Economic and Political Weekly", Engage Series (Aug 19, 2020).
* Amin, Khalid, '[https://web.archive.org/web/20180411073149/http://tlhjournal.com/uploads/products/41.khalid-amin-article.pdf Censorship, Corruption and Surveillance in Art: A Case Study of Kashmiri Theatre]', ''The Literary Herald:'', 3.4 (December 2017), 273–79.
* Hashim, Irfan, ''Freedom of Speech and Journalism in Kashmir'' (LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, 2013), {{ISBN|978-3659398452}}
* Joseph, Teresa, 'Kashmir, human rights and the Indian press', ''Contemporary South Asia'', 9 (2000), 41–55, {{doi|10.1080/713658719}}.
* Navlakha, Gautam, Rita Manchanda and Tapan K. Bose, '[https://www.jstor.org/stable/4404409 Political Situation in Kashmir: Duped by Media and Government]', ''Economic and Political Weekly'', vol. 31, no. 29 (July 20, 1996), 1927–31.
* Noorani, A. G., '[https://www.jstor.org/stable/40276353 Academic Freedom in Kashmir and Elsewhere]', ''Economic and Political Weekly'', vol. 42, no. 36 (September 8–14, 2007), pp. 3600–3602.
* Puri, Balraj, ''Kashmir: insurgency and after'' (Orient Longman, 2008), pp. 70–77.

[[Category:Human rights abuses in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Censorship in India]]
[[Category:Kashmir conflict]]

Censorship in Kashmir - Revision history

Bot at 16:54, 6 November 2022