AMU blocks Facebook, says it ‘hurts religious sentiments’

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/