New Delhi: For a generation that has grown up online, the internet is more than a convenience – it is how they communicate, organise, document events and make their voices heard. So, when internet services were suspended around Connaught Place and Jantar Mantar during the ongoing CJP protests, many young demonstrators said they felt disconnected not only from one another, but also from the rest of the country.Unable to send messages, make calls, post reels, use social media, go live, share updates from the ground, navigate using online maps or livestream the demonstrations, several protesters said the shutdown had fundamentally changed the way they participated in the protests.“We were born in the digital age. Social media is our way of showing people what’s happening in real time,” said a 22-year-old protester who studies in Delhi. “When the internet goes down, it’s not just about not being able to post on Instagram. We can’t coordinate with friends, update our families that we’re safe, or show people across the country what’s actually happening here. It feels like our voice doesn’t travel beyond the protest site.“Another protester, Varun, said the shutdown created confusion as groups got separated in the crowd. “Normally, if someone gets lost, we just share our live location or call each other. Without the internet, even finding your own group becomes difficult. Many people were stranded because maps, ride-hailing apps and digital payments stopped working.”As internet restrictions continued, Gen Z users turned to social media before arriving at the protest site, sharing practical survival guides on how to prepare for communication blackouts. Messaging groups and online forums were flooded with suggestions, ranging from downloading offline maps and saving emergency contacts to installing Bluetooth-based messaging applications that work without mobile data or Wi-Fi.Some recommended downloading locally-run large language models that function directly on a device without requiring cloud connectivity, allowing access to information even during internet outages, while others suggested carrying LoRa-based communication devices that can enable long-range messaging when conventional mobile networks are unavailable.“The internet is our primary tool for organising,” said a mass communication student of a Noida-based university. “Our generation doesn’t just consume information online – we mobilise, verify facts and document events through it. When that disappears, we lose our fastest way of reaching thousands of people.”For many young protesters, the internet shutdown represented more than a technological inconvenience. They said it interrupted the very tools their generation relies upon to communicate, organise and amplify their voices. “We have grown up in a world where information travels instantly,” said Charu, another student protester. “Our generation expresses itself online. When that connection is cut, it feels like our voice is being cut off too. We are still here, but reaching people becomes much harder.”As demonstrations continue, participants say the growing exchange of offline communication techniques and safety tips reflects how digital-native protesters are adapting to restrictions while trying to remain connected on the ground.
