A movie named “Innocence of
Muslims” allegedly by Nakoula Basseley firstly released on YouTube (World’s
largest video sharing website, hereinafter referred as “The Site”). The movie
insults Prophet Muhammad and Islam. Consequently, Muslims from all over the
world explode with grave reaction and censure against the movie. Some of them
were more violent which even caused death in some country. Albeit, all we know
that Islam is religion of peace.
Indubitably, the maker(s) of this
film creates anarchy among the global village. In addition, they infringe the
notion of freedom of expression. They should exercise their right responsibly
and reasonably. The right to freedom of expression is not beyond
responsibility.
Similar to rest of the world, Muslims
of our country are offended by this film. A very little portion of them reacted
aggressively while a group of them wanted to protest National Women Policy on
this occasion when they made clash with police at National Press Club premises on
22 September. On this ground, they have already been observed a daylong strike
(hartal) in this territory. Although, the leaders of this movement were unaware
about the contents of the said cinema and its linkage with the site.
At this situation, on 16 September, Government of Bangladesh directed Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission
(BTRC) to request
the authority of the site to remove the film from their web page. On 17
September night around at 10.30 P.M while BTRC did not get
any reply from the requesting authority, they decided to shut down the site
from Bangladesh.
However, dying the entire
site from the country was not the only alternative to Bangladesh government. Because BTRC
has an option to write to the concern authority to block those specific links,
which contain the movie and clippings from our territory. It was happened in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Iran, Malaysia and even in India. YouTube authority was
prohibiting access to those controversial videos from these countries.
Regrettably, government
of our country forbids whole YouTube and still (till 14 October) the site is
prohibited in our country. Perhaps no one but the God knows how long govt.
wishes to restrict the site. Because YouTube has already clarified that, they
do not withdraw the film from their site due to their policy to withdraw any video uploaded except
pornography. If govt. decides to revive the site
after some days then what would be their justification to close the site
previously? Otherwise, probably we will perpetually be deprived from accessing
YouTube for this film.
Cutting the whole brain while
headache is nothing but a whimsical decision which our govt. prefer often.
Otherwise, they do not took such a gibberish
decision. YouTube not only contains “Innocence of Muslims” rather
it exhibits so many constructive materials, which can enrich our life. A huge
portion of them are relating with education. Famous Khan Foundation and other
organizations circulate their enlightening educational videos through YouTube
from one corner to another corner of the earth. A lot of Bangla educational
videos are also available now on YouTube. Hence shutting down of the whole site
is an instance of cutting down citizens’ right to access internet freely (now a
days access to internet is regarded as a right). By closing down the total site
like Pakistan, Bangladesh government probably showed extremist
approach towards the planet.
Closing YouTube is not at all an
appropriate conclusion to prohibit people from watching the movie. Because
modern technology unlocks various gate to explore the world. One can spread the
movie through email from abroad; even it can be watched from Bangladesh through proxy site and by many other
alternatives.
In today’s world, cyber crime evolved
as an anxiety as well as very complex to determine liability. It is extremely
difficult to confine the ambit of citizens’ freedom to access internet by
imposing restriction. It can call danger instead of a solution. Technical
approach from government to this dilemma can resolve the matter amicably.
Hence, closing down any web site i.e. facebook or YouTube cannot be a solution rather taking shelter of
proper way could be an effective means to restrain these types of destructive
activities.
