Haryana Imposes Internet Ban, Tightens Security in Nuh Ahead of Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra

24-hour mobile internet suspension, weapon ban, and heightened security measures aim to prevent communal unrest during the sensitive religious procession.

New Delhi: 14 July 2025

The Haryana government has ordered a suspension of mobile internet services for 24 hours in Nuh district starting Sunday evening, as part of efforts to ensure law and order, ahead of the Brij Mandal Jalabhishek Yatra taking place on Monday. Internet services are being shut down because of concerns arising out of last year’s communal violence that took place during the same procession that resulted in critically injured citizens and six dead.

The order prohibits weapons, drones, and also bulk SMS, and dongle services, but not mobile voice calls or banking services. The order issued by Additional Chief Secretary Sumita Misra, is to stop the spread of misinformation, and attempts to organize civil disturbance using social media, and messaging.

Security has been significantly ramped up across the district. Twenty-four magistrates have been deployed to oversee the procession, which runs between the Nalhar and Punhana temples. Authorities have also ordered the temporary closure of meat shops along the yatra route as a preventive measure.

Although the scale of the yatra has been scaled back this year, officials are not taking chances after the violence that broke out in 2023 when the procession was attacked in Nuh a Muslim majority district leading to riots that spread through the region. This year, participants will gather in Gurugram and move on Nuh under strict oversight.

The regulations reflect the government’s cautiousness about preserving religious freedom while attempting to achieve peace in particularly communally sensitive areas.

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