Signal jammers disrupted mobile internet services in parts of central Delhi during a protest at Jantar Mantar [2].
The disruption occurred as demonstrators gathered for a march toward Parliament involving the Chief Justice of India. The loss of connectivity prevents organizers from coordinating in real time and hinders the ability of protesters to document events or alert the public to developments on the ground.
Protesters reported that the jamming forced many to leave the immediate vicinity of the protest site to regain access to basic communication services. Some individuals walked nearly two km away from Jantar Mantar to access the internet and make phone calls [1].
Those present at the site said the jamming was intended to disrupt communication ahead of the Chief Justice of India's planned movement toward Parliament [1]. The disruption affected mobile data and voice services in specific sections of the central Delhi district [2].
While officials have not issued a formal statement regarding the deployment of jammers, the loss of signal remained a primary grievance for those gathered. Protesters continued to mobilize despite the technical barriers, though the lack of digital connectivity slowed the dissemination of information from the site [1].
“Signal jammers disrupted mobile internet services in parts of central Delhi”
The use of signal jammers in a high-profile political area like central Delhi suggests a tactical effort to control the information flow during sensitive demonstrations. By neutralizing mobile connectivity, authorities can limit the ability of protesters to organize spontaneously via encrypted apps and prevent the immediate viral spread of live-streamed footage, effectively creating a communication vacuum around the protest site.
