India blocks mobile internet in central Delhi, sources say

Police officers wield batons against a supporter of the All India Students' Association (AISA) during a protest demanding accountability for police action against students at a march by supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) towards parliament in Delhi on July 20, and demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over examination paper leaks, in Patna, India, July 22, 2026. (Photo: Reuters)

NEW DELHI, July 23 (Reuters) – The Indian government has ordered telecom companies to disable ​mobile data services in central parts ‌of the capital Delhi, in and around the site of youth protests seeking the resignation ​of the education minister, two sources ​told Reuters on Thursday.

The companies have ⁠complied with the order, the sources ​said.

Spokespersons for the government and the telecom ​department did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters.

Top Indian telecom firms, billionaire ​Mukesh Ambani’s Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone-Idea ​did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

There was ‌no ⁠mobile data connectivity in many parts of central Delhi on Thursday evening, Reuters journalists said. Vendors, shopkeepers and restaurants ​complained that ​they were ⁠unable to accept digital payments.

Protesters led by the “cockroach” movement have been ​camping in central Delhi since ​last ⁠month, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam paper leaks ⁠in ​May that affected some ​2 million students.

T.K.B. Sen

Journalist, media worker, reporter and analyst