<p style="text-align: justify;">Defending the Centre’s move to impose restrictions on internet and mobile services in the Kashmir valley, Solicitor General <span style="color: #993366;"><strong>Tushar Mehta</strong></span> said that the same has been imposed to prevent the spread of fake news across the country.</p>.<p style="text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;">“<em>The country will be flooded with fake news from across the border if internet is restored in Kashmir</em>“, he said.</p>.<p style="text-align: justify;">Mehta’s remark came during the hearing in the<span style="color: #993366;"><a href="https://barandbench.com/article-370-sc-moved-against-lockdown-jammu-and-kashmir/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #993366;" target="_blank"> case concerning the media and communication blackout in Kashmir.</a></span> The petitioners argued that today was the 57th day of internet restrictions in Kashmir and that the matter involved a larger question of fundamental rights of the people.</p>.<p style="text-align: justify;">Citing the previous instance of a similar blackout imposed in the State of Jammu & Kashmir in 2016, Mehta said that when Burhan Wani was gunned down by the Army, internet services were suspended in the interest of national security.</p>.<p style="text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;">“<em>Constantly this ’57 days’ is being cited. In 2016, when a terrorist was gunned down, internet remained shut for 3 months for the safety of the people. Where were these people then?</em>“</p>.<p style="text-align: justify;">Mehta further argued that these concerns over 57 days of blackout were being raised for serving vested interests.</p>.<p style="text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;">“<em>If the internet services are restored, there will be a barrage of WhatsApp messages coming from across the border.</em>“</p>.<p style="text-align: justify;">Raising questions on the fundamental rights and right to liberty of the people of Kashmir, the petitioners objected to the submissions made by Mehta. This prompted Justice <strong>BR Gavai</strong> to say that the <span style="color: #993366;"><a href="https://barandbench.com/kashmir-personal-liberty-to-be-balanced-against-national-security-justice-gavai/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #993366;" target="_blank">personal liberty of people needs to be balanced against the concerns of national security.</a></span></p>.<p style="text-align: justify;">The case is being heard by a three-judge Bench of Justices <strong>NV Ramana, R Subhash Reddy </strong>and <strong>BR Gavai.</strong></p>.<p><strong>[Read Order]</strong></p>.<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://bit.ly/2Tq7twI" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #000000;" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #993366;">Bar & Bench </span>is available on <span style="color: #339966;">WhatsApp</span>. For real-time updates on stories, Click here to subscribe to our WhatsApp.</strong></a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Defending the Centre’s move to impose restrictions on internet and mobile services in the Kashmir valley, Solicitor General <span style="color: #993366;"><strong>Tushar Mehta</strong></span> said that the same has been imposed to prevent the spread of fake news across the country.</p>.<p style="text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;">“<em>The country will be flooded with fake news from across the border if internet is restored in Kashmir</em>“, he said.</p>.<p style="text-align: justify;">Mehta’s remark came during the hearing in the<span style="color: #993366;"><a href="https://barandbench.com/article-370-sc-moved-against-lockdown-jammu-and-kashmir/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #993366;" target="_blank"> case concerning the media and communication blackout in Kashmir.</a></span> The petitioners argued that today was the 57th day of internet restrictions in Kashmir and that the matter involved a larger question of fundamental rights of the people.</p>.<p style="text-align: justify;">Citing the previous instance of a similar blackout imposed in the State of Jammu & Kashmir in 2016, Mehta said that when Burhan Wani was gunned down by the Army, internet services were suspended in the interest of national security.</p>.<p style="text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;">“<em>Constantly this ’57 days’ is being cited. In 2016, when a terrorist was gunned down, internet remained shut for 3 months for the safety of the people. Where were these people then?</em>“</p>.<p style="text-align: justify;">Mehta further argued that these concerns over 57 days of blackout were being raised for serving vested interests.</p>.<p style="text-align: justify; padding-left: 40px;">“<em>If the internet services are restored, there will be a barrage of WhatsApp messages coming from across the border.</em>“</p>.<p style="text-align: justify;">Raising questions on the fundamental rights and right to liberty of the people of Kashmir, the petitioners objected to the submissions made by Mehta. This prompted Justice <strong>BR Gavai</strong> to say that the <span style="color: #993366;"><a href="https://barandbench.com/kashmir-personal-liberty-to-be-balanced-against-national-security-justice-gavai/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #993366;" target="_blank">personal liberty of people needs to be balanced against the concerns of national security.</a></span></p>.<p style="text-align: justify;">The case is being heard by a three-judge Bench of Justices <strong>NV Ramana, R Subhash Reddy </strong>and <strong>BR Gavai.</strong></p>.<p><strong>[Read Order]</strong></p>.<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #000000;"><a href="http://bit.ly/2Tq7twI" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: #000000;" target="_blank"><strong><span style="color: #993366;">Bar & Bench </span>is available on <span style="color: #339966;">WhatsApp</span>. For real-time updates on stories, Click here to subscribe to our WhatsApp.</strong></a></span></p>