India blocks mobile internet in central Delhi, sources say (updated)

Vodafone Idea

23/07/2026 13:43

Adds details

    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 RELI.NS, Bharti Airtel BRTI.NS and Vodafone-Idea VODA.NS, 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. 
  

 (Reporting by Aditya Kalra and Munsif Vengattil, writing by  Shilpa Jamkhandikar; Editing by YP Rajesh)
 ((shilpa.jamkhandikar@thomsonreuters.com;))