Centre Says "Militancy In J&K Cannot Be Overlooked" While Considering Plea Seeking Restoration Of 4G In J&K

Pleas praying for restoring 4G Internet Connectivity in Jammu & Kashmir during the COVID19 Lockdown were taken up by the Apex Court today.

A bench led by Justice NV Ramana sought the Centre's response on all petitions seeking a common prayer including pleas filed by Foundation For Media Professions & Private Schools Association J&K by Monday next week.

Attorney General KK Venugopal argued that the issue of militancy in J&K must not be overlooked while allowing the restoration of fast internet connectivity.

He added that such a phenomena was an ongoing issue and apprised the Court by pointing to the attendance of over 500 people of the Valley at the funeral of a militant.

"It is a serious issue, millitancy is still there. The militants are being made into martyrs" added the AG.

The bench directed the Centre to have a report submitted in this regard.

Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi stated that apart from this issue, the prayers point to a "gamut" of issues surrounding internet speed that needed consideration including the folly of hampering education to students.

"This app we are currently using also requires 4G, everything requires 4G such as Zoom or video streaming." added Ahmadi.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta submitted that the aspect of whether students in J&K even had laptops to study needed to be addressed as well. He added that a detailed and consolidated report will be filed in this regard.

Ahmadi also took note of the AG's submission of the "ongoing militancy" and suggested that 4G could in fact be restored in area where militancy is not a huge issue and can be restricted in those areas where it might be.

The PIL filed by the Foundation for Media Professionals challenged the government order of 26 March restricting internet speed to 2G in the Union territory, on the grounds that such an order violates provisions of equality before law, freedom of speech and expression, right to life and liberty, and right of children to free and compulsory education, granted under Articles 14, 19, 21, and 21A of the Constitution.

A PIL by Private Schools Association, Jammu & Kashmir (PSAJK) contended that the lack of 4G connectivity for internet in Jammu and Kashmir is infringing the fundamental right to education. The PSAJK is an association of over 2,200 schools across Jammu & Kashmir and the plea challenged Government Orders dated 18.01.2020, 24.01.2020, 26.03.2020 and 03.04.2020 which led to the imposition of restriction(s) on Internet Speed.