Following the Anuradha Bhasin judgment (2020), the government issued guidelines requiring that inter…

polity hard true_false

Following the Anuradha Bhasin judgment (2020), the government issued guidelines requiring that internet shutdown orders must be published, subject to judicial review, and satisfy the proportionality test under Article 19.

True
False

Answer: True

Internet shutdown guidelines post-Anuradha Bhasin: (a) Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020): SC held: (i) Freedom of speech (Article 19(1)(a)) and profession (Article 19(1)(g)) extend to internet medium, (ii) Shutdown orders must be published for transparency and judicial review, (iii) Restrictions must satisfy proportionality test: legitimate aim, rational connection, least restrictive alternative, balancing of interests, (b) Government response: DoT guidelines (2021) requiring: (i) Publication of orders, (ii) Time-bound restrictions, (iii) Periodic review, (iv) Proportionality assessment, (c) Implementation challenges: Compliance varies across States; judicial monitoring continues, (d) Balance: National security/public order vs. digital rights; proportionality test ensures calibrated restrictions. Illustrates adaptive constitutionalism: applying enduring values to emerging technological contexts.

Topic Digital Rights - Internet Shutdown Guidelines

Exam Relevance Digital rights and internet shutdowns critical for UPSC Mains and current affairs exams

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GK Question

Following the Anuradha Bhasin judgment (2020), the government issued guidelines requiring that internet shutdown orders must be published, subject to judicial review, and satisfy the proportionality test under Article 19.