What Happened
- Widespread protests erupted across Kashmir following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint US-Israel airstrike, prompting authorities to impose strict restrictions in Shia-majority areas.
- All government and private schools, colleges, and universities were shut down as a precautionary measure, with closures extended until at least March 7; major universities also postponed examinations.
- Mobile internet speeds were throttled to 2G for postpaid services, while prepaid mobile data faced intermittent shutdowns — a targeted measure to limit the spread of inflammatory content and prevent coordination of protests.
- Heavy deployment of police and paramilitary personnel, along with barricades and concertina wire, was put in place across Srinagar and other Shia-majority areas; public transport and many businesses also remained shut.
- By the third day of curbs, restrictions remained in force as the government continued to assess the law and order situation, citing the need to prevent escalation.
Static Topic Bridges
Internet Shutdowns and the Legal Framework in India
India has one of the highest rates of internet shutdowns globally. The primary legal authority for telecom suspensions is the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, framed under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) can also be used to restrict gatherings and certain communications. In the landmark 2020 judgment in Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India, the Supreme Court held that indefinite internet shutdowns are impermissible and that repetitive orders under Section 144 constitute an abuse of power — all orders must be time-bound, necessary, and proportionate.
- Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services Rules, 2017 — the specific statutory basis for internet suspensions in India.
- Supreme Court (2020): Internet access linked to free speech under Article 19(1)(a); shutdowns must be reviewed by a Review Committee.
- Speed throttling (reducing to 2G) is increasingly used as a middle path — limiting bandwidth without a full blackout.
- India accounted for the highest number of internet shutdowns globally for several consecutive years (SFLC.in data).
Connection to this news: The throttling of mobile internet in Kashmir during the Khamenei protests is a textbook application of India's tiered approach to telecom restrictions — balancing public order with the court-mandated requirement to avoid total blackouts.
India–Iran Relations and the Domestic Shia Factor
India has approximately 30 million Shia Muslims — around 15% of the country's Muslim population — many concentrated in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and parts of Jammu and Kashmir (particularly the Kargil region). Iran, as the world's pre-eminent Shia power, views this community as part of its sphere of religious influence. This creates an indirect link between events in Iran and domestic sentiment in Muslim-majority areas of India. India's relationship with Iran is multidimensional: it includes energy imports, the Chabahar Port project (10-year agreement signed in 2024), and strategic counterbalancing against Pakistan-backed Sunni extremism.
- Kargil district of J&K has a predominantly Shia Muslim population — geopolitically and religiously sensitive.
- India and Iran signed a 10-year contract for development of Chabahar Port in May 2024 — a key connectivity project for Central Asia access.
- Iran's position on Kashmir has historically been ambiguous — oscillating between supporting Muslim solidarity and maintaining diplomatic ties with India.
- Khamenei had periodically issued statements on Kashmir aimed at the broader Islamic constituency.
Connection to this news: The protests in Kashmir over Khamenei's killing are a direct manifestation of trans-national Shia sentiment — demonstrating how geopolitical events in West Asia can rapidly translate into domestic law-and-order challenges for India, especially in regions with Shia populations.
Public Order, Preventive Restrictions, and Federalism in J&K
Jammu & Kashmir, now a Union Territory with a legislature since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, is directly administered by the Centre through a Lieutenant Governor. The restoration of statehood remains pending. The Centre's enhanced control over law and order in J&K — compared to a full State — is a significant constitutional and administrative dimension. Preventive restrictions (Section 144 CrPC orders, internet shutdowns, curfews) are executive measures that do not require prior judicial sanction but must meet proportionality standards as per Supreme Court directions.
- J&K was bifurcated into two Union Territories — J&K (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature) — on October 31, 2019.
- The LG of J&K has executive powers over law and order that are wider than those of a Governor in a full State.
- Section 144 CrPC (now Section 163 in the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023) empowers a District Magistrate or Executive Magistrate to issue orders to prevent obstruction, annoyance, danger, or public disorder.
- The Telecom Suspension Rules require orders to be reviewed by a committee within 5 days.
Connection to this news: The swift imposition of restrictions in Kashmir — including school closures and internet throttling — reflects the Centre's heightened administrative capacity in J&K as a Union Territory, as well as the persistent challenge of managing the region's unique vulnerability to external geopolitical events.
Key Facts & Data
- Protests were concentrated in Shia-majority areas including Budgam, Srinagar's Zadibal area, and Kargil.
- Curbs continued for at least five days, with restrictions reimposed as and when protests resumed.
- Schools and educational institutions across several Kashmir districts were closed until at least March 7, 2026.
- Mobile internet speed was throttled to 2G for postpaid services; prepaid services faced intermittent suspensions.
- Heavy security deployment included CRPF, J&K Police, and additional paramilitary forces.
- India is home to approximately 30 million Shia Muslims — 15% of the total Muslim population.
- India signed a 10-year Chabahar Port development agreement with Iran in May 2024.