The Jharkhand Bar Council has filed a plea in the high court challenging the state government’s decision to ban internet services during the Jharkhand Staff Service Commission (JSSC) combined graduate level examination. The Jharkhand home department issued an order late Friday night banning internet services from 8 am to 1:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday to prevent unfair practices during the examination. Around 640,000 aspirants are expected to appear for the exam at 823 centers across the state.
Bar Council chairman Rajendra Krishna moved the high court on Saturday. A division bench of Justices Anand Sen and Anubha Rawat Chaudhary refused to stay the order but directed the state to file a reply within four weeks. The court observed that while the state is empowered to impose such restrictions, the question remains whether it can do so specifically to conduct an exam.
The internet shutdown decision has sparked sharp criticism from the principal opposition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which described the decision as “impractical” and “laughable.” Jharkhand BJP president Babulal Marandi demanded the withdrawal of the order, noting that the internet is integral to daily life and economic activities.
Bar Council opposes exam internet ban
In response, Congress leader and state rural development minister Irfan Ansari defended the decision, accusing the BJP of trying to disrupt the examination process.
He pointed out that internet restrictions are previously imposed for security reasons during significant events, such as the Prime Minister’s visits. The order, issued by home secretary Vandana Dadel, prohibited mobile internet, data, and Wi-Fi services of all providers while allowing voice calls and broadband connectivity based on fixed telephone lines. The government cited previous instances where unfair practices were facilitated via mobile applications.
The examination, previously canceled in January due to allegations of a paper leak, is now being strictly monitored. The case of the paper leak is being investigated by a special investigation team of the Jharkhand Police, which has already arrested several suspects. The high court’s decision to demand a response from the state within four weeks means the debate over the internet ban is far from over.
