From internet to intranet! Democracy?

Maldives was ruled by an autocratic leadership for the past thirty years. Freedom of expression was banned, online censorship was common, and torture was predictable. These days of pain and suffering were brought to an end by the hard work of several people, and it took years to label Maldives as a democratic country. And though, it has not been so many days into the new era of democracy, we are experiencing contented changes rapidly.

However, it is saddening that Islamic Ministry is trying a bit too hard to push Maldives back into darkness. One of the first things the government did was unblocking several websites blocked by the former regime. Sadly today the Islamic Ministry is blocking certain websites for questionable reasons. They might claim that their aim is to protect the people. But I wonder from what? It is also obvious that they are blocking certain websites to save their own dignity.

Converting the internet to an intranet for Maldivians seems to be what the Islamic Ministry is trying to do. And this action is in contrary with the efforts and hard work of the several people who tried and who are trying to make Maldives a pure democratic country. There are 12 countries marked by the Reporters Without Borders as enemies of the internet. And if the Islamic Ministry continues its barbaric style of protecting people, Maldives is going to be on that list as well, putting in vein the work of several people.

What the Islamic Ministry need to understand is that as long as there is internet access, a person could gain any sort of information desired. Blocking certain websites has a zero effect if the purpose is to protect people from accessing ‘undesired’ information. The only way to build a better society is by educating people and making people aware of what is right and what is wrong.

For example, a drug addict, try to stop the means by which he gets drugs, one way or the other he will get his hands on drugs and consume it. But if he is treated, educated and rehabilitated well, even if he is given drugs he will not consume it.

-thadu-

10 Responses

  1. They can block the websites, but have to face the truth that people have spoken out. You can not block the thinking faculty of the Human being. Its a losing battle and a very cruel one. I can not believe Mr Nasheed is allowing Baree to do this. Consider us and the youth of the nation fought so long to find the democrasy and elect Mr President and i think He should realize it. It might not be the most popular thing if he expel Baree, but sometimes you have to the right thing. not the popular one!

    http://www.sprword.com/videos/kymatica/

  2. Agree with you totally…nice post

  3. but the thing is they are the people who sell those drugs and Alcohol here in Maldives so if they banned that that means there wealthiness is going down

    like Islamic Minister Dr. Majeedh is one of the Share holder of Sunland Travels and resorts Sunland is one of the leading hotel chain of Maldives.
    so if he trying to stop Alcohol in Maldives it effect ti himself so he will not let it happen
    I’m wondering why they trying to ruin others life and there profession
    this Country is 100% muslim country and will be like that but they trying to change this country Extream

    this is sad

  4. Very True

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  6. Maumoon tried to do the same thing and lost. That is, he tried to please everyone and in the end won no one. This is the critical time for Anni to decide who he should be aligned with. Obviously this Adaalath Party is proving to be treacherous to be aligned with. It’s time he threw out AP and let it fade to its earlier non-relevant and non-important state.

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