TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Thursday, July 23, 2026, alleged an internet blackout in Central Delhi and accused the government of pressuring social media platforms to remove photos, videos, and other evidence of alleged police brutality against protesters. She also called on tech-savvy citizens to find and share workarounds to circumvent the reported restrictions.

Context

Moitra posted on X that the government was 'desperately bullying content platforms to delete photos/videos/evidence of police brutality on protestors as well as stop any coverage of protests.' She directly appealed to the tech community — 'all techies' — to help identify ways around the reported blackout and circulate those methods. The post carried no attached media.

Central Delhi is the nerve centre of the Indian capital, home to Parliament, key government ministries, and a frequent site of political demonstrations. Connectivity disruptions in this zone, if confirmed, would affect journalists, diplomats, and ordinary citizens alike.

Policy Backdrop

India has a documented history of internet suspensions during periods of civil unrest. Following the revocation of Article 370 in 2019, Jammu and Kashmir experienced one of the country's longest shutdowns, lasting over five months. During the anti-CAA protests in December 2019, internet services were suspended in parts of Delhi and several other cities.

The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 grant the government authority to direct platforms to remove content deemed unlawful. In the landmark Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020) ruling, the Supreme Court held that indefinite internet shutdowns violate fundamental rights, though temporary suspensions under prescribed procedures remain legally contested.

Delhi Police, which reports to the central government rather than the Delhi state administration, is the primary law enforcement body responsible for managing protests in the capital. Allegations of excessive force by Delhi Police during demonstrations have been raised by opposition figures on multiple prior occasions.

Stakeholders and Impact

Protesters on the ground in Central Delhi would be directly affected by any connectivity blackout, limiting their ability to document events and communicate. Journalists covering the protests would face similar constraints, raising concerns about press freedom and the public's right to information.

Social media platforms operating in India — already navigating compliance obligations under the IT Rules, 2021 — would face pressure from two directions: government takedown orders on one side and public-interest arguments for transparency on the other. Tech experts and digital-rights advocates have in past instances published virtual private network (VPN) guides and mirror links to help users bypass such restrictions.

What's Next

The reported measures could face legal challenge under the Anuradha Bhasin precedent if internet restrictions are confirmed and prolonged. Parliamentary committees on information technology and communications may also be moved to examine the legality of any content-removal orders issued to platforms.

Moitra, known for her sharp critiques of central government policy on civil liberties and digital governance, is likely to raise the matter in Parliament. Whether opposition parties coalesce around a formal privilege motion or adjournment notice will be a key indicator of how the political fallout develops in the coming days.