India’s department of information technology that functions under the articulate and vociferous minister Kapil Sibal, has quietly pushed through an Act to censor online content.

The recently drafted rules that give private arbiters a right to take down objectionable content, free speech advocates say will seriously hamper virtual communications, debate and discussions.

In the past in a country, that is the largest democracy, the lawmakers have suggested bans on books, movies, names of roads and even statues at various times.

Ajay Jain, president of the Indian Blog and New Media Society, says, “In principle the whole argument seems wrong. There is so much that is left to interpretation. It could lead to a witch-hunt by law enforcers. There needs to be a proper redressal system for Internet content related grievances. Perhaps something like a PIL system. There can’t be an arbitary process. Unfair business practices can come into play.”

He adds, “If the complainant cannot prove his case he needs to punished. Such harsh measures only target the democratisation of the freedom of speech movement and gag independent Web publishers and small entities.”

While India’s rural Internet users are set to grow by 98 per cent in 2011, such a gag might come as a huge blow to those promoting the benefits of e-commerce, trade and even social networking for better economic gains.

What they say

*The internet has resulted in great causes gaining momentum. At a time when corruption is rampant the virtual space is weeding out such practices and bringing about awareness, our netas want to put a lid on it. Sensible blocks are fine.-B. Krishna, Event Manager

*I have no regard for the system any more. Today they're formulating rules about virtual communication and tomorrow the government will intervene in all our personal affairs! There is absolutely no sense of democracy in our nation.-Abbas, Actor