[Reader-list] AMU blocks Facebook, says it ‘hurts religious sentiments’

[geeta seshu]

completely. I agree.

Geeta

On Wed, Mar 14, 2012 at 1:27 PM, Javed <javedmasoo at gmail.com> wrote:

> This is ridiculous.
>
> AMU blocks Facebook, says it ‘hurts religious sentiments’
>
> The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) administration has blocked
> Facebook on the campus, claiming that the content posted on the social
> networking website could hurt religious sentiments.
>
> University spokesperson Rahat Abrar said: “It has been done keeping in
> mind the objectionable posts related to Islam on Facebook. It hurts
> the religious sentiments of Muslims and it may flare up passions.”
>
> Interestingly, Abrar himself has a Facebook account.
>
> The order to block the site was issued a fortnight ago, but there was
> no official announcement in this regard. When the site did not open in
> various departments, people called up the university’s computer centre
> and were informed that the site has been blocked.
>
> AMU has its own internet facility on the campus, which is available at
> various departments of studies, engineering college, medical college,
> polytechnic, faculty and the library. Those using this facility can no
> longer access Facebook.
>
> President, Central University Research Scholars’ Association, Jasim
> Mohammad said the university’s decision was “curtailment” of their
> freedom. “Facebook is not only an entertainment medium, we often
> remain connected with other research scholars abroad through it. It is
> a Talibani diktat by the administration,” he said.
>
> Sources said the decision may have been prompted by the use of
> Facebook by students for mobilising opinion against the university
> administration on various issues. There is an AMU community account
> that uploads news related to the university.
>
> In April 2011, following the death of a student leading to sine die
> closure, the AMU Community had launched a ‘Remove V-C’ campaign on
> Facebook. A campaign for restoration of the students’ union was also
> launched.
>
>
> http://www.indianexpress.com/news/amu-blocks-facebook-says-it-hurts-religious-sentiments/923486/
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