Mumbai, India: Cyber cafes across Mumbai and Thane have blocked Orkut and their owners blame policemen for it rather than the Shiv Sena. The party alleges that the site has unacceptable content about Chhatrapati Shivaji and Bal Thackeray. Yet, when asked, cyber café owners claim that it is the police that have asked them to block Orkut.
“The cops came here and asked us to block Orkut,” is the standard reply cyber cafe owners give whenever a customer complains that the website is inaccessible.
While top police officials are quick to say that they have not received any orders to block the site, local policemen are visiting cyber cafes in the city, asking the owners to deny access to Orkut.
“We have not received any instruction about banning Orkut so we can’t ask anyone to do so,” says Sanjay Mohite, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Enforcement).
But, according to Kalpesh Shah, who owns a cyber cafe in Thakur Complex in Borivali (West), the police keep coming to his cyber cafe every week. “To avoid problems, I have put up a notice saying that Orkut has been blocked. But it's ridiculous as customers argue with us seeking to know the rationale behind the decision,” says Shah.
Earlier, Shiv Sainiks had gone on rampage after alleged disparaging remarks against party chief Bal Thackeray and Shivaji were posted on Orkut. Party activists attacked cyber cafes in Thane and Mumbai, demanding a ban on Orkut.
Read full story on cities.expressindia.com
Last update : 23-06-2007 19:25
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