Responsible Netizens

The world of Internet is in fact full of activism – from child abuse,to corruption and from voting to women rights. Imagine if Facebook and Orkut existed during the revolt of 1857,may be India would have then put in a more organised protest and bought freedom for the country at least 100 years before. That would have been like re-writing history.

But Facebook exists now and life is totally different today. If one Googles up to find the number of ‘social activism’ communities,the results are mind-boggling – 75,000 plus people are actually involved in social activism. But then where are the signs of protest? And where are the actions? And where are the cries and petitions of distress? Clearly,it is unheard and unknown. Vijay Bhambhwani who sports a profile that has around 10 causes,from Stop Animal Abuse to Stop Plastic Bags saya,“ I was very fascinated when I joined these networking sites. Being a socially active person,I thought I might be able to make a difference. But I was really disappointed. Most people are all fizz and excited for 5- 10 minutes and then back to square one. The passion just slips away. I am an animal activist and I joined these communities to be able to do something concrete but nothing ever happened.” Vijay’s community has around 1500 members,but it’s an irony that they haven’t been able to come up with anything substantial at all.

So what exactly drives people to get involved with communities like that? A poll says that out of all the people who join,only 58 per cent are actually interested in the cause. 18 per cent join because their friends are a part of the community and 20 per cent never check these communities ever again. It’s a click,join and forget process. But the huge number of people from all age groups who join these groups everyday sure show that there is smoke and there is fire too. Pune Politicians – We want answers is one community,which looks interesting. It hosts 58 members and the description looks attractive and passionately wanting change. But the owner of the community,Dhananjay Khare doesn’t sound too happy,commenting on the community as he says,“ I had always seen that people discussed and lamented about bad state of politics over their scotch bottles and coffee table discussions. I thought why not streamline it. But I am really disappointed. Most people joined the community and forgot about it. My repeated posts haven’t seen many answers and I failed at taking the community to the next level. So I have 58 dormant people who frankly speaking,didn’t seek answers. I think the perennial problem about our people is their complacency – they are just not bothered.”

So is this tool actually dying? Says Sreeram Padhye,a law student,“ No,I think cyber activism is very popular,but just opening a community in itself isn’t a sign of commitment to change. It needs to be coupled with a ground-related work. Cyber activism is a tool that helps in launching organised protest,because communication is so simple on the Internet,but just sitting in our cosy chairs and writing down stuff won’t help. We need to really to do something more concrete.”

An interesting trend also seen on these communities is open defiance of well-established beliefs. One can easily find communities like – Should Vande Mataram become our national anthem? Or Should the constitution of India be reformed or something like We support decriminalizing homosexuality in India on the Internet and with huge number of supporters.

It looks like a new reign of Robin Hoods is being born as a result of these forums. It is essentially becoming a place where long suppressed views are coming out. But unless and until these groups are backed by adequate research,passionate feelings and on –ground activities nothing can change. Cyber activism may become the new tool of reform,but it seems like it still has a long way to go.

COMMUNITIES AND WHAT THEY STAND FOR PUNE POLITICIANSWe need answers A group which was formed to keep a check on the politicans in Pune and to raise a citzens forum that is active and involving in the city’s politics.

REFORMING INDIAN CONSTITUTIONThe consitution of India has many limitations according to them. This community discusses such topics like – reservations,bpl people and rights of the mentally challenged.

VANDE MATRAM SHOULD BE OUR NATIONAL ANTHEMThis communtiy feels that the national anthem was written in praise of the queen and not India as assumed by the masses.

WE SUPPORT DECRIMINALSING HOMOSEXUALITY IN INDIAThis communtiy is for those who stand against violence done to the LGBT groups.