Delhi Police Block Mobile Internet at Eight Stadium-Turned-Detention Centres Ahead of Jantar Mantar Protests

Delhi Police on October 10 blocked mobile internet services at eight stadium-turned-detention centres across the national capital, extending restrictions beyond the central Jantar Mantar protest site. The temporary holding facilities were set up in sports complexes and community centres to prevent demonstrators from assembling, according to officials.

The move follows a series of preventive measures by Delhi Police, which had converted multiple public venues into detention centres in anticipation of protests. While the exact number of detainees remains unclear, the internet blackout at these facilities underscores the scale of the security operation. Authorities have not issued a detailed statement on the duration of the restrictions or the legal grounds for the communications shutdown.

The internet suspensions have raised concerns among digital rights advocates, who argue that such blanket blackouts violate freedom of expression and hinder access to essential services. The development comes amid heightened tensions over protest rights in India, with global watchdogs frequently criticizing the use of internet shutdowns as a tool to suppress dissent. Further updates are expected as the situation unfolds.