 
1 
 
IN CLASSROOM ACTIVITY – HOLD A DEBATE 
INTERNET SHUTDOWN IN INDIA 
 
CONTENTS 
In classroom Activity – Hold a Debate ...................................................................................................... 1 
Internet Shutdown in India ..................................................................................................................... 1 
Topic of Debate – ..................................................................................................................................... 1 
Teacher’s Section .................................................................................................................................... 1 
Expected Outcomes – ............................................................................................................................. 2 
Steps for the activity– ............................................................................................................................. 2 
How to facilitate Debate – ................................................................................................................... 2 
Pre-preparation – ................................................................................................................................. 2 
Points to remember - ........................................................................................................................... 3 
Student’s Section .................................................................................................................................... 3 
Print Section ............................................................................................................................................ 4 
For Judgement - Debate Scoring Sheet ................................................................................................ 6 
 
 
TOPIC OF DEBATE – 
Internet shutdown in India – “Violation of Human rights or a must for National security” 
TEACHER’S SECTION 
Theme for the month is Justice and Constitution and our constitution has empowered every citizen with 
a powerful weapon to gather information as “Right to Information”. These days, internet is a powerful 
tool for gathering information for all age groups. Sharing information and seeking information is the right 
provided by Constitution. Are frequent internet shutdowns in such a situation justified?  
 
Let the young citizens think from different angles. Motivate them to research through given references. 
 

EXPECTED OUTCOMES –

Students will learn –

a. Public Speaking skills

b. To form opinions towards right and wrong

c. Critical thinking

d. Listening skills

e. Problem-solving skills

f. Interaction and Communication

STEPS FOR THE ACTIVITY–

HOW TO FACILITATE DEBATE –

Step 1 – Introduce the topic

Internet shutdown in India – “Violation of Human rights or a must for National security”

Option 1 - Present the topic, and both the sides to your students. Have students listen to a statement,

then decide if they agree or disagree with that statement. Then divide them into groups. Once they are in

groups, they can discuss their thoughts on the issue.

Option 2 - Have the students take the topic and research both the sides of it to find out what side their

position is on. Then send them off to research that topic. Next, have them work in groups to record

information in support of their position.

Step 2 – Form Groups and invite voluntary participation from students

Step 3 – Judgement

1. Make a panel of teachers or senior students.

2. Use a Judgement score sheet

3. Calculate the ratings and announce the winning team

PRE-PREPARATION –

1. Debates require a good amount of time for preparation

2. Selected topic will be provided to you with the reference resources for preparation, but do not

limit yourself to the references given.

3. Encourage students to read newspapers, watch news channels, do internet research, and also

discuss with parents and adults while preparing for debates and discussions.

4. Give prior notice for the event, at least 1 week advance

5. The teacher could conduct an extempore as a surprise, but encourage all members to

participate and choose only general topics.

POINTS TO REMEMBER -

1. Ensure that all students get a chance to participate (there is a tendency for more articulate

students to step up more in the class)

2. Avoid clichés and generic statements: instead, encourage students to either state facts or their

own opinions

STUDENT’S SECTION

Points to be included in the debate –

1. How common are internet shutdowns, and how do they occur?

2. Are shutdowns ever justified under international human rights law?

3. How good media and bad media play an important role for such bans or shutdowns – case studies?

4. Why and when do government officials order internet shutdowns?

5. Justifications/Reasons and data on recent shutdowns in India and other countries.

a. National Security

b. Elections and political events

c. Protests and demonstrations

d. School Exams

5. What are some impacts of internet shutdowns?

a. Shutdowns threaten the right to life, right to information

b. Shutdowns do lasting damage to democracy and political participation

c. Shutdowns slow economic development and the digital economy

6. Cases and impact of internet shutdown in different states

7. Analyse the reasons and how we can observe and understand facts about viral messages and videos

to be uploaded at the time of protests

8. Comparison with other countries

 
4 
 
 
PRINT SECTION 
RESOURCES – 
 
https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=TOIPU%2F201
8%2F07%2F29&entity=Ar01504&sk=51345BD5&mode=text# 
https://www.thequint.com/news/india/2018-internet-shutdowns-shot-up-says-rti 
https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/indias-lets-ban-it-approach-to-anything-that-makes-it-
uncomfortable-online-is-a-violation-of-human-rights-4450505.html 
https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/06/15/india-20-internet-shutdowns-2017 
https://www.internetsociety.org/policybriefs/internet-shutdowns 
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/telecom-group-red-flags-internet-blackouts-in-
rajasthan/articleshow/65352986.cms 

 
5 
 
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/india-witnessed-highest-number-of-internet-
shutdowns-in-2017-18-unesco-report/articleshow/64150543.cms 
Media influence on public opinion –  
 
https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/quest-media-role-vital-to-healthy-society/ 
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/Media-and-issues-of-responsibility/article13059658.ece 
Internet shutdowns in different states to prevent the spread of dangerous rumours and incitement 
to violence through social media– 
 
https://tech.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/internet/india-shut-down-internet-29-times-in-
2017/59627417 
http://www.thehoot.org/digital-media/kashmir-cut-off-why-internet-bans-are-bad-for-democracy-9506 
Ban on News channel – case study 
 
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/why-was-ndtv-india-banned-and-what-does-the-law-
say/story-Rp7oyyYZ0MFzbV6omyMnbO.html

FOR JUDGEMENT - DEBATE SCORING SHEET

Debate Topic:____________________________________

Date: _______________

Team Member Names:

(1) _______________________________

(2) _______________________________

(3) _______________________________

DEBATE RUBRIC

Levels of Performance

Criteria

1. Organization and

Clarity:

Viewpoints and

responses are

outlined both clearly

and orderly.

Unclear in most

parts

Clear in some

parts but not

over all

Mostly clear

and orderly in

all parts

Completely clear

and orderly

presentation

2. Use of

Arguments:

Reasons are given to

support viewpoints.

Few or no

relevant

reasons given

Some relevant

reasons given

Many reasons

given: fairly

relevant

Most relevant

reasons given in

support

3. Use of Examples

and Facts:

examples and facts

are given to support

reasons, with

references

Few or no

relevant

supporting

examples/facts

Some relevant

examples/facts

given

Many

examples/facts

given: fairly

relevant

Most relevant

supporting

examples and facts

given

4. Use of Rebuttal:

Arguments made by

the other teams are

responded to and

dealt with effectively.

No effective

counter-

arguments

made

Few effective

counter-

arguments

made

Some effective

counter-

arguments

made

Many effective

counter-arguments

made

5. Presentation

Style:

Tone of voice, use of

gestures, and level of

enthusiasm are

convincing to

audience.

Few style

features were

used; not

convincingly

Few style

features were

used but they

were used

convincingly

All style

features were

used, most

convincingly

All style features

were used

convincingly

Total: ______ Score = Total x 5 = ____