In recent years, the Indian government has increasingly resorted to internet shutdowns as a means to control law and order in various regions, such as Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Manipur, and Punjab. India has witnessed a staggering 60% of internet shutdowns worldwide between 2016 and 2022.

Reasons behind internet shutdowns in India

Communal tensions: Approximately 40-50% of internet shutdowns in India are officially attributed to communal tensions. Shutdowns are imposed to prevent the spread of rumors, hate speech, and incitement to violence during periods of heightened communal tensions.

Protests and demonstrations: Shutdowns are frequently imposed during protests and situations of civil unrest to control the spread of information, coordinate activities, and prevent further mobilization of protesters.

Preventing cheating in exams: Internet shutdowns have been imposed during exams to curb cheating and prevent the use of online resources that may aid in dishonest practices.

Religious processions: Shutdowns have also been observed during religious processions, particularly in regions with religious sensitivities, to prevent the circulation of inflammatory content and maintain public order.

Impact of internet shutdowns

Restriction of Fundamental Rights: Internet shutdowns curtail the exercise of fundamental rights, such as freedom of expression, access to information, and the right to privacy. These shutdowns limit people’s ability to communicate, express themselves, and access essential information.

Economic Consequences: Internet shutdowns have adverse effects on businesses, particularly those that rely on the internet for their operations. E-commerce, online services, and digital platforms suffer financial losses during shutdowns.

Disruption of Essential Services: Internet shutdowns disrupt access to critical services like healthcare, education, and emergency services. Telemedicine, online education, and remote work become inaccessible, impacting people’s well-being, educational opportunities, and productivity

Human Rights Violations: Prolonged and arbitrary internet shutdowns can be seen as human rights violations. They limit people’s ability to exercise their rights, stifle dissent, and undermine democratic processes.

Negative Impact on Education: Internet shutdowns disrupt online education, e-learning platforms, and access to educational resources. This hampers educational progress and has long-term consequences for individuals and societies.

Psychological and Emotional Impact: The inability to connect with others, access information, and engage in online activities can have psychological and emotional implications.

Justifications behind the frequent imposition of shutdowns

Maintaining Public Order: Internet shutdowns are often imposed as a measure to maintain public order and prevent the escalation of law and order situations.

Preventing the Spread of Misinformation: During times of crisis or unrest, shutting down the internet is seen as a way to prevent the rapid spread of misinformation and fake news.

Curbing Organizational Activities: Shutdowns are also imposed to disrupt the organization and coordination of protests, demonstrations, or other activities perceived as a threat to public order.

Preserving Exam Integrity: Internet shutdowns may be implemented during examinations to prevent cheating. By restricting access to online resources, authorities aim to ensure the fairness and integrity of the examination process.

The two significant Supreme Court judgments related to internet shutdowns in India

AnuradhaBhasin v. Union of India (2020): Recognized the right to access the internet as part of the right to freedom of speech and expression. Emphasized that internet shutdowns must be necessary and proportionate, subject to judicial review.

FaheemaShirin v. State of Kerala (2020): Reaffirmed the importance of internet access for exercising fundamental rights. Stressed that restrictions on internet access should be temporary, proportionate, and justified with reasons

Way forward: Need for balance between maintaining public order and safeguarding the interests of internet-dependent individuals

Protecting Public Order: Maintaining public order is a legitimate concern for governments to ensure safety, security, and the functioning of society. Internet shutdowns may be employed in exceptional situations where there is a real and imminent threat to public safety or when it is necessary to prevent the spread of violence or unrest.

Proportionality: Any measure taken to maintain public order, including internet shutdowns, should be proportionate to the threat faced. Shutdowns should be targeted, time-limited, and precisely tailored to address the specific concerns, rather than imposing blanket restrictions that impact the entire population.

Judicial Oversight: Independent judicial oversight is crucial to ensuring that any restrictions on internet access align with constitutional principles and international human rights standards.

Transparency and Accountability: Governments should provide clear and transparent justifications for internet shutdowns, including detailing the specific risks or threats that justify such measures.  Accountability mechanisms should be in place to address any abuses or violations during shutdowns.

Targeted Measures: Rather than resorting to complete shutdowns, governments should explore alternative measures that target specific content or platforms that pose risks to public order. Content moderation, selective blocking, or targeted interventions can help address concerns without unduly infringing on individual rights or stifling access to essential services.

Annapurti: The grain ATM

The World Food Programme (WFP) India recently demonstrated an innovative solution during the “National Conference of Food Ministers of States/UTs” by demonstrating the Automated Multi-Commodity Grain Dispensing Machine, Annapurti.

 Describe Annapurti.

 Through the Public Distribution System, Annapurti, also known as the Grain ATM, offers a quick, efficient, and accurate way to distribute grain subsidies to recipients.

It is an automated multi-commodity dispensing technology created by WFP India that guarantees effective access to commodities including rice, wheat, and cereals.

Following biometric authentication, beneficiaries can safely access their benefits through Annapurti.

Key Features

Annapurti offers 24×7 access to full entitlements, eliminating spillage, waste, and inaccurate weighing.

The machine can dispense one or two grain commodities, up to 50 kilograms, within five minutes, with a minimal error rate of 0.01 percent.

Advantages and Potential Applications

(1) Ensuring Food Security:

 Annapurti has significant potential for food-based safety nets, ensuring beneficiaries receive their monthly subsidized grains promptly.

The machine’s precision and reliability prevent losses and ensure individuals receive their entitled portions.

(2) Emergency Food Grain Distribution:

 During emergencies, such as natural disasters or humanitarian crises, Annapurti can facilitate efficient and timely distribution of food grains to affected populations.

Its automated system streamlines the process, reducing dependency on manual labor and minimizing errors.

(3) Market Access for Smallholder Farmers:

 Annapurti can play a crucial role in expanding market access for smallholder farmers.

By offering a reliable and efficient distribution channel, farmers can sell their produce directly to Annapurti, ensuring fair prices and reducing intermediaries.

Sustainable and Modular Design

(1) Energy Efficiency:

 Annapurti is designed to prioritize food security while ensuring efficient energy consumption.

With a consumption rate of only 0.6 Watt per hour, it offers an environmentally friendly solution.

(2) Modular Design:

 Annapurti’s modular design allows for flexibility and scalability based on available space.

The storage unit and components can be easily assembled and customized to suit different requirements.

(3) Integration with Renewable Energy:

 Annapurti can be integrated with solar panels, inverter batteries, and elevators for automatic refilling.

This integration enhances the sustainability of the system by reducing dependency on conventional energy sources.

High Seas Treaty

 The UN adopted the High Seas Treaty, also known as the Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), on June 19.

Following the creation of the International Seabed Authority (ISB) and the Fish Stocks Agreement (FSA), it became the third agreement under UNCLOS.

High Seas Treaty and BBNJ

 In 2002, the notion of safeguarding the maritime environment first surfaced, and by 2008, the requirement for an agreement had been realised.

A Preparatory Committee was established by the UN General Assembly in 2015 to write the treaty.

The treaty was adopted in 2023 as a result of intergovernmental conferences (IGC).

The goal of the pact is to use international collaboration to adopt global laws for the protection of marine life outside of state borders.

Key Provisions of Treaty

(1) Marine Protected Areas:

The treaty establishes marine protected areas to safeguard the oceans from human activities.

Decisions on protected areas require a “three-quarter majority vote” to prevent obstruction by a few parties.

(2) Sharing Benefits from Marine Genetic Resources:

The treaty mandates sharing scientific information and monetary benefits through a “clear house mechanism.”

The mechanism ensures open access to information on marine protected areas, marine genetic resources, and area-based management tools.

(3) Capacity Building and Marine Technology:

The treaty emphasizes capacity building and the use of marine technology for environmental impact assessment.

The Scientific and Technical Body will create standards and guidelines, assisting countries with limited capacity in carrying out assessments.

Internationalising the rupee without the ‘coin tossing’

 The recent announcement by the Indian government regarding a long-term road map for the internationalization of the rupee holds immense potential for the country’s economic growth. This move aims to revive the rupee’s historical prominence as a widely accepted currency in the Gulf region and strengthen its position in the global foreign exchange market.

Historical Context

Indian Rupee as Legal Tender in the Gulf Region: In the 1950s, the Indian rupee held the status of legal tender in several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar. It was widely used for various transactions, and these Gulf monarchies purchased rupees using the pound sterling.

Introduction of the Gulf Rupee: To tackle challenges related to gold smuggling, the Reserve Bank of India (Amendment) Act was enacted in 1959. This legislation led to the creation of the Gulf Rupee, which was intended for circulation only in the West Asian region. The central bank issued notes specific to the Gulf region, and individuals holding Indian currency were given a six-week window to exchange their rupees for the new Gulf rupee.

Devaluation of Indian Rupee and Transition to Local Currencies: In 1966, India devalued its currency, which eventually had repercussions on the acceptance of the Gulf rupee. The devaluation eroded confidence in the stability of the Indian rupee, prompting some West Asian countries to replace the Gulf rupee with their own sovereign currencies. The introduction of sovereign currencies in the region was driven by both economic factors and concerns about the Indian rupee’s stability.

Impact of Demonetisation: In 2016, the Indian government implemented a demonetisation exercise, which involved invalidating high-value currency notes, including the ₹1,000 and ₹500 denominations. This move aimed to curb black money, corruption, and counterfeit currency. However, it also had an impact on the confidence in the Indian rupee, both domestically and among neighboring countries such as Bhutan and Nepal.

Withdrawal of ₹2,000 Note: In recent times, the decision to withdraw the ₹2,000 note from circulation has further affected confidence in the rupee. This move has led to concerns and uncertainties among the public and businesses, particularly regarding the stability and continuity of currency denominations.

What does it mean by Internationalizing the Indian Rupee?

Internationalizing the Indian Rupee refers to the process of increasing the acceptance, use, and recognition of the Indian rupee as a global currency. It involves making the rupee more widely used and traded in international markets, increasing its convertibility, and promoting its adoption for cross-border transactions, trade settlements, and investment activities

Advantages of internationalization of the rupee

Enhanced Trade and Investment: Internationalization of the rupee can facilitate smoother trade transactions between India and other countries. This can lead to increased bilateral trade, attract foreign investment, and boost economic growth.

Reduced Exchange Rate Risks: Internationalisation reduces exchange rate risks associated with fluctuations in major global currencies. When the rupee becomes more widely accepted and used in international transactions, it reduces the vulnerability of the Indian economy to external currency volatility.

Lower Transaction Costs: Greater international acceptance of the rupee can reduce transaction costs for businesses and individuals engaged in cross-border trade and remittances.

Strengthening Financial Markets: A more internationalized rupee would lead to the development of deeper and more liquid rupee-denominated financial markets. This includes rupee bond markets and derivatives markets. It helps diversify funding sources and provide greater stability and opportunities for investors and businesses.

Reserve Currency Status: The internationalisation of the rupee can potentially lead to its recognition as a reserve currency. Reserve currency status enhances a country’s monetary and financial influence globally and promotes stability in international financial systems.