Hello, 

My name is Richa and I’m a writer and editor based between Bombay and Goa. I work on issues of women’s digital rights for a range of organisations and initiatives. 

I’m writing to respond to your call for perspectives on the proposed policies that will affect internet licensing and net neutrality. Given that internet penetration in India is only just beginning (and that we have a long way to go), it is far too early to implement either of these measures. It is important that the internet is accessible to the largest possible number of people - compulsory licensing for internet services will hit small start ups run by young people like myself the hardest, and secondly, will end net neutrality. 

Telecos across the world are fighting to end net neutrality - they believe these are barriers to their profit. But big companies have always fought safeguards designed to protect people, precisely because these safeguards favour people over profit. The internet is has become the new battleground for big business profits. To support the telelcos against the people is anti-development, anti-people, and anti-progress - it is not what we want or expect from our government. Moreover, the services that will be hit first - Whatsapp and Skype - are used greatly by young people. This is a future generation we cannot afford to price out, and acting against net neutrality will do just that. 

There are positive models we can look towards. The Netherlands recently passed strong laws in favour of net neutrality, recognising that equal access to the internet is a right for everyone. In fact, the United Nations has declared access to the internet as a human right. To ensure the internet remains a common good for the people, and not a source of profit for big business, I urge you strongly to act in support of net neutrality, and to keep our internet access equal for everyone. 

With Warm Regards, 

Richa Kaul Padte