The Odisha government has suspended internet services in Bhadrak district for 48 hours until September 30, following violent communal clashes linked to social media posts, according to an official order cited by news agency ANI.
In the order, Satyabrata Sahu, the state’s additional chief secretary, stated that the home department extended the ban on accessing social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and others through internet and data services in Bhadrak district until 2 a.m. on September 30, 2024.
The order noted, “It has come to the notice of the State Government that there have been violent communal incidents in Bhadrak and Dhamnagar areas recently due to social media posts. The District Administration has expressed concerns about the misuse of the internet to spread communal violence. Platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and similar media have the potential to inflame communal tensions, leading to public disorder in Bhadrak district. Therefore, the suspension of such services aims to prevent the spread of inflammatory messages and restore peace and order.”
Prohibitory orders banning public gatherings were imposed in Bhadrak town after a protest by a community over a Facebook post related to their religious beliefs escalated into violence, injuring police personnel. By Friday night, security was tightened in Bhadrak, with additional police forces deployed following a stone-pelting incident that left some officers injured. A video shared by ANI showed police personnel stationed in the area after the clashes.
The internet suspension was enforced under Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, along with Rule 2(1) of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency/ Public Safety) Rules, 2017. The order specified the banned services, including WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and other social media services across all mobile service providers, mobile internet/data services, internet/data services of all ISPs, broadband dial-up systems, and any other modes of transmission.
According to police, over 600 protesters blocked the Santhia bridge connecting Kacheribazar and Purunabazar, demanding the arrest of the person responsible for the social media post. When the police attempted to detain the group during the rally, the crowd pushed forward, prompting a lathi charge, after which some protesters began throwing stones at the police. A deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and a sub-inspector were injured, and the Bhadrak tehsildar’s vehicle was severely damaged, according to an order issued by Sub-Divisional Magistrate Monaj Patra.
Bhadrak has a history of communal sensitivity. In April 2017, the town witnessed violent clashes following an inflammatory Facebook post, leading to arson that destroyed 450 establishments and caused property damage worth ₹9 crore. A curfew was imposed for over a month, the longest in the state’s history.
