THE RISING TREND OF INTERNET SHUTDOWNS IN INDIA

In September 2020, India passed three agricultural reforms which have led hundreds of thousands of farmers to demonstrate peacefully on the outskirts of New Delhi since November. The new laws intend to modernize the agricultural sector through deregulation and corporatization. However, the farmers claim that allowing private buyers free rein in the marketplace would benefit big business and boost crony capitalism while putting them at risk of losing their businesses and land. Protests turned violent on Republic Day after some protestors diverted from agreed-upon routes and marched ahead of schedule. Authorities resorted to firing tear gas and lathi-charging the protestors. The government also suspended internet access in an effort to quash the protests. As part of this effort, the government ordered the social media platform, Twitter, to shut down user accounts critical of the farm bills, citing concerns that false news reports were spreading through social media.