Net neutrality: 2,90,000 signatures in, 10,000 more needed
The TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) continues to feel the public pressure on the issue of net neutrality. As the deadline to TRAI’s consultation paper comes to an end, a Change.org petition asking for Net neutrality with over 2.90 lakh signatures will be delivered to TRAI’s headquarters at 10:30 AM on April 23, 2015. Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar will also submit his official response to the TRAI consultation paper. He will be accompanied by petition signer Anshul Tiwari who will deliver the online petition.
A viral petition was started by Kollam resident and net activist Sandeep Pillai asking TRAI not to allow differential pricing of online services. Petition starter Sandeep says, “The fight for net neutrality in India is the fight for democracy in the modern age. We can’t let the governments and the corporates decide what we can and cannot do on the internet. The incredible support for my petition on Change.org is a reflection of how strongly the country feels about having open and fair access to the internet.”
Must read: Net Neutrality: Whatever you need to know about it, support it
TRAI has already received 1 million responses on the consultation paper so far. Internet activists had called the consultation paper highly lopsided and in favour of the telecom operators.
The issue has created one of the biggest internet mobilisations in recent times. Change.org India’s head Preethi Herman says, “This petition has been hugely popular with users in India and has been gaining support in the last few days. It’s been exciting to witness Indians rally online to protect their internet and use it the way they want to.”
Also read: Save our Internet: An open letter to Modi by Tech Startups
If you are in Delhi and want to be a part of the move, here are the details for you to participate in the enforcement of net neutrality for the best future of the internet in India.
Event Details:
- Time: 10:30 AM
- Address: Mahanagar Doorsanchar Bhawan (next to Zakir Hussain College) Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (Old Minto Road) New Delhi: 110 002
If you are not in the capital city, you can sign your online petition by hitting on this link. Please participate and make a difference.