At a time when there was a nationwide lockdown due to COVID19, granting limited access to internet services by restricting the speed to only 2G in Jammu and Kashmir was unreasonable.

Due to limited and restricted access to internet, schools were unable to offer online classes and employees were not in position to work from home

Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir has moved the Supreme Court seeking restoration of 4G services in the union territory, contending that the lack of proper internet connectivity violated the fundamental right to education of children.

The association-an umbrella body of over 2,200 private schools across Jammu and Kashmir has challenged a series of government orders passed since January 18, 2020, restricting internet speed in the newly created union territory.

Limiting internet speed impacted education sector, particularly during COVID19 lockdown when education was required to be imparted online, the association submitted.

The Supreme Court is already seized of another PIL filed by an NGO---Foundation For Media Professionals---seeking restoration of 4G services in Jammu and Kashmir.

A Bench headed by Justice NV Ramana---which issued on Thursday notice to the Jammu and Kashmir Administration and asked its standing counsel to respond---is likely to take up the matter next week.

The NGO has challenged the March 26 order issued by Jammu and Kashmir Administration restricting internet speed for mobile data transfer to 2G.

On behalf of the NGO, senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi had contended that in view of the COVID19 lockdown, 4G connectivity was need of the hour as virtual classes for students were not possible with 2G.

Terming the order as arbitrary, the NGO submitted that it amounted to violation of right to freedom of speech and expression, right to life and liberty as also right to education guaranteed under Articles 19, 21, and 21A of the Constitution.

After the nullification of Articles 370 and 35A of the Constitution in August last year, internet services were suspended in Jammu and Kashmir and even after restoration of internet services the data transfer speed was limited to 2G.

The petitioner NGO sought to highlight that the right to internet has been held to be a part of Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.

For all the citizens of #JammuAndKashmir
Plz Rt this thread and
Let's fight together for our basic need of internet.