Mobile and internet services suspended in NUH, ahead of VHP’s rally on August 28

Ahead of Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s Brij Mandal Jal Abhishek Yatra in Nuh on August 28, internet and bulk SMS services have been suspended in Haryanas’s Nuh, owing to security and law and order concerns. The internet ban will be implemented from 12pm on August 26, and stretch over the next two days, staying in force till August 28.

The state home department has clamped down upon mobile connectivity as a preventative measure, after the Hindutva outfits openly declared that they will not cancel their religious procession. Citing security concerns the administration had denied the permission for the said religious rally, however, VHP is determined to carry on with their rally, as scheduled on August 28. Surendra Jain, joint general secretary of VHP said, “We will take out the yatra as per our schedule. It is our right and we have planned it accordingly. Our security and safety is the responsibility of the administration and police and they should provide us the same. We can control the number of devotees if required, but we will resume the yatra.”

The state administration fears that the spread of rumors and misinformation can be used to incite and mobilize the masses, which in turn may lead to untoward violent clashes.  “It is emphasized that this order is being issued after taking utmost care of public convenience by exempting individual SMS, mobile recharge, banking SMS, Voice calls, internet services provided by broadband and lease lines of corporate and domestic households, thus not affecting the commercial/financial interest of the State and basic domestic needs of individuals,” read the order issued by the authorities.

Citing threats to ‘serious loss of life and damage to public and private properties by indulging in arson or vandalism and other types of violent activities’, the authorities have resorted to employ an internet ban to prevent the spread of provocative slogans, misleading posts or anything that may lead to the loss of life and property. Therefore, mobile internet services, bulk SMS and all dongle services will be suspended in Nuh district from August 26 to August 28.

 Nuh continues to stand as a sensitive area after sporadic violent clashes broke out on July 31, when VHP’s rally was halted by a group of young men. The violence that ensued, claimed 6 lives and left over 80 injured. Moreover, many shops were vandalized, vehicles torched and stones pelted at the police. Members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad have stated that they are determined to resume the rally that was stopped, in a grandiose fashion.