It happens again

Some months ago, i had said that the Internet is nearly impossible to patrol. Now, the scenario has come back in the form of a hate community on the popular social site Orkut. The reaction to this was angry, and when i went to check the comunity today, it was not to be found anywhere. It is perhaps too premature to determine wether Cyberspace patrolling has managed to filter Propoganda. But, people who know the nuances of the Internet might find different platforms to express their hate for a ideology, Party or person.

This case related to the creation of a community titled "I hate Bal Thackeray". It was formed by individuals who hated him as a person, as well as the party which he created. It also spoke against the ideologies which is stood for. Following the outcry on discovery by the party members, the Cyber cell initiated action quickly and deleted the community. Now, wether the persons involved did this purposefully or with serious intent is yet to be determined.

Two points are raised here. One, Did the Shiv Sena react angrily to this because it perhaps spoke the truth? Second, what is the probability of Hundreds of such sites filtering across the vast network of Cyberspace? Two other points have been highlighted in this case. The Internet will consolidate itself as the biggest sources of Propoganda, and that security against Propoganda is next to impossible.

If an unbiased opinion of the Common Man is sought out, he will echo the same felings that the community expressed against the Shiv Sena. The Sena's ideology of division among communal lines has tested the social fabric of Mumbai. The open acts of aggression demonstrated by the Sena have indeed led to normal life being disturbed. About 8 years ago, a World Class Hospital was destroyed by the Sena as it could not save their local leader. The same party brought normal life to a halt when some statues of their party as well of their supreme leader were defaced. To add to this, the continued hate campaign against muslims furthur keep Mumbai on a boiling point.

The chances of this occuring again is quiet high. Some community that hates this part will again crop up, so eliminating Propoganda against them might be very difficult. How ironic this situation is. The perpetrators of Hate Propoganda are now in the recieving end of this. I guess now they must be feeling that the world is round and that what goes around must come around.

I would like to add, that if Citizens expressed their opinion through Public forums and voice their concerns, then it will be far more effective. By creating communities on the Web, the people risk falling into short-sightedness. Maybe, the back door bad mouthing of the Sena has irked them this time. If Citizens can come out into the open and speak out against the Sena, then it will be better.

This is perhaps an indirect way also of the people telling the Sena to change for the better. For too long, they have spread Hate Propoganda in the city. For far too long, they have disrupted normal life for political mileage. Of course, the Sena also has to be credited with a lot of Political activism, because by their activism, they highlight the flaws of the system. The Shiv Sena might represent a front in changing the rigidity of the system, but, if it is at the price of Normal life and social tranquility, then this hate campaign against them will only increase.