India just turned off mobile internet for 63 million citizens amid protests in Ahmedabad
Source: The Next Web
Mobile internet services have been blocked in the Indian state of Gujarat (home to nearly 63 million people), following violent protests led by the Patel community after one of its leaders was detained by local police in Ahmedabad.
22-year-old politician Hardik Patel, the convener of the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti, led a rally to demand Other Backward Class (OBC) status for members of the Patidar community, in order to level the playing field in the competition for enrollment at universities and jobs in government organizations.
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Patels supporters have been using WhatsApp extensively to broadcast videos and make media announcements.
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The officer added that the service will resume only after the situation returns to normal. However, other reports indicate that all mobile internet services have been blocked across the state.
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Read more: http://thenextweb.com/in/2015/08/26/india-just-turned-off-mobile-internet-for-67-million-citizens-amid-protests-in-ahmedabad/
bananas
(27,509 posts)Gujarat Bandh: WhatsApp and Mobile Internet Suspended as Hardik Patel Rally Turns Violent
By Mugdha Variyar
| Updated: August 26, 2015 10:01 IST
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"We have not been able to use WhatsApp since last night. Even mobile Internet has been blocked. We are relying on Wi-Fi as of now," the local said.
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Recursion
(56,582 posts)There's starting to be some tension in northern Maharashtra, too
Live and Learn
(12,769 posts)Not only does it stifle the free exorcise of speech but it endangers families and individuals by not allowing them to communicate.
Demeter
(85,373 posts)at, least, not until the NSA, FBI, CIA turns off your cell phone...
We are next! This is just practice and example for fascists everywhere.
oberliner
(58,724 posts)The US MSM will (mostly) ignore this story - but they shouldn't.
dembotoz
(16,734 posts)What makes us strong also makes us weak