The Whims and Fancies of Col.Kapil Sibal.

The introduction of computers in Governance was not a easy task, it was not the sheer volumes of the data that was processed that bothered the Implementation, but the reluctance and criticisms of the Employees and trade unions over the fear loss of Jobs. Computers did invade our country and jobs continued even in the Government sector.

 Decades later, conferences were conducted and editorials were written about the pros and cons about the new technology of those days, the Internet. The internet even then was considered as a boon, except for the pornography it encouraged. 

Internet however has changed the ways of life; the way we booked our money, Banked our money, and our modes of written communication. The emails have almost bridged the continental distances, gone are the delays and losses associated with letters. Then we had the picture /video sharing, blogs and social networking sites. It would be very naïve to say that internet has initiated a great revolution in our society; it actually fathered many a revolutions in the world.

The wikileaks, Arab spring, occupy world street movement and India against corruption movement all had their roots and branches in the Web. The popularity and the potential of these sites have always been a thorn in the flesh for our politicians. Social networking sites, has given a vast majority of mute citizens, a forum to express their opinion and angst.

Of all the evils and inefficiencies inborn with us, and our politicians, the only asset that any ordinary Chinese would envy is our democracy. A constitutional democracy; which gives us a right to howl against the PM, screams at the Gandhi’s. The right to express our opinions freely is a fundamental right, a luxury, which only a few are fortunate enough to have in this world.  

The recent actions of the Telecom Minster Mr.Kapil Sibal to screen the content before publishing, is highly condemnable. His suggestion to implement a monitoring mechanism to screen "disparaging, inflammatory or defamatory" opinions found no takers with any of the web houses. His bone of contention was a Facebook web page maligning Sonia Gandhi. Can Mr.Sibal block a BJP, or Pakistani website if it maligned Sonia Gandhi? Can he stop a Uma Bharathi, Mayawathi or a Jayalalitha’s Anti-sonia bashing?

One is reminded of some of the craziest quotes of colonel.Gadhafi here, especially for Mr.Sibal.

Gadhafi: Democracy means permanent rule.

Sibal:      True, we ruled India for almost half a century.

Gadhafi: Protest however you want, but don’t go to the streets and squares.

Sibal:      we don’t mind streets and squares, but a Jantar Mantar, Raj Ghat and Ramlila maidan      

               would be “unacceptable” to us.

Gadhafi: I am not such a dictator that would shut facebook. I will imprison anyone who logs into it.

 Sibal:    I would rather implement monitering mechanisms.

Blocking of websites, screening of content is a dirty work of the Pakistanis and Chinese. We don’t live in chaotic or an undemocratic country; we comprehend your Gimmicks Mr.Sibal. Don’t try to fool us. We are Indians Mr.Sibal, Indians.