Jharkhand government has decided to shut down the internet services across mobile for some time. The decision was taken so that a government job exam can be held fairly and honestly. However, such a move has sent ripples of criticism amongst many citizens.
Why the Internet Ban?
These tests were scheduled for 21 and 22 September 2023. Around 640,000 examinees are expected to appear for the exam. The government wanted to shut the mobile internet service to check cheating done in the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission or JSSC exams.
Jharkhand Government’s Internet Ban: A Closer Look
During the olden times, it was also observed that dishonesty was experienced in exams through social media and other online available sources. Hence, the government did not desire even a minute possibility of dishonesty, so they decided to take this tough decision.
Government Announcement Details
The government released a notification that mobile internet and mobile data, as well as Wi-Fi services, were going to be halted during the examination timings. In this context, for the exam duration from 8 AM to 1:30 PM, all mobile internet was not going to be used. Though with all these restrictions, landline services were free to keep running as usual.
The Principal Secretary of Home Department Vandana Dadeel stated this decision was taken so that the examination process is free and fair. The government wanted to ascertain that no one uses the internet for false information and disturbing the examination process.
Public Reaction to the Ban
As soon as people heard the news about banning the internet, many people slammed it. The main opposition party was that of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which slammed the move termed it impractical. They contended that the internet is the lifeline of every individual’s day-to-day life and banning it would create a huge problem for most of them.
Men and women do use the internet for communication purposes, their banking, and their work.
Thus, overnight ban caused a lot of confusion and inconvenience to students who are appearing for exams in other states.
Many were of the opinion that the Government is trying to hide its failure by doing something at the eleventh hour.
Court’s Involvement
The issue reached the Jharkhand High Court. A public interest petition was filed before the court calling for the invalidity of the internet shutdown on grounds of whether there was a need for it at all. The government was asked to explain its policy on ban through various questions put forward by the judges of the court during the hearing.
The court did not decide to lift the ban unilaterally but ordered the government to reconsider its judgment. The government defended the judgment as a precautionary measure taken for smooth and successful holding of the exam, to which the court did not appear to agree as it did not put an end to the ban immediately, hence allowing it to be in force during the exams.
Effects on Daily Life
Though the examination was crucial, shutdown of internet affected people. Students, workers, and tradesmen amongst others use the internet to carry out their daily affair. It bound their activities and frustrated them.
Some complained that they could not process their online transactions, which has implications in doing their shops and bank formalities. Many people do not know about the shutdown of the internet or had no clue about it, and sometimes it hampers their usage of cell phones, laptops, and so on.
Conclusion: A Controversial Decision
The choice made by the Jharkhand government to not allow mobile internet in the state during the exams has been quite a topic of debate. While the intention was to cut out cheating, I don’t think it would have worked; just because there is a risk of cheating doesn’t mean people’s daily routines have to be severely restricted.
Of course, this event will be of interest on how the court will handle and react to such a situation and if the government will be doing things the other way around from now on. This entire thing is a classic example of balance between security and freedom, which is terribly delicate and due to this reason, many such terrible incidents occur.
Internet ban during exams. What do you feel about it? Let us know your view in the comment below!