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children havent gone to school since 5 august 2019 in kashmir. while the world is enjoying the benefits of zoom and stuff, everyone is stuck with 2G. that means

children havent gone to school since 5 august 2019 in kashmir. while the world is enjoying the benefits of zoom and stuff, everyone is stuck with 2G. that means no zoom parties, no conference calls, recorded classes are sent via voice notes on whatsapp groups for each class and children write simple exams on paper and photo a picture. things are THAT DEPLORABLE and the narrative "stopping terrorism" is given as an excuse to prevent 8 million people from internet? what gives?

jammucoder 6y ago
My friend, although I feel the same as you about the 2G connectivity issue, I should remind you that just 3 years before 370 abrogation, schools in Kashmir were shut for 8 Months [1] after the killing of Terrorist by security forces. This is the J&K I have grown up in. "Stopping terrorism" sounds like just another narrative, but not to those who have lived with its consequences. [1] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kashmir-schools-reopen-burhan-wani-encounter-winter-vacations-963272-2017-03-01 https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kashmir-schools-reopen...
- 2Gkashmiri 6y ago
  what is your point? that its okay to actively prevent schoolchildren from studying? how does it matter schools were shut for 8 months 3 years ago. the point is, with the current pandemic, schoolchildren are stuck at home anyways and denying them high speed internet is denying them access to education. plain and simple. you argue because its been done before so everyone is used to it and thats somehow okay? its not
  - actuator 6y ago
    Although a very unfair comparison, and I don't agree with it. But I think his point was three years back people were more than willing to protest for an "armed millitant"[1] and a lot of that was organized through social media. But this doesn't mean it is right, internet is a fundamental right at this point. You can't just deprive people from it with a blanket ban. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burhan_Wani https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burhan_Wani
    - 2Gkashmiri 6y ago
      your words, "people were more than willing to protest for an "armed millitant" " where do you say terrorism in that sentence? did hongkong stop internet when there were protests? or BLM which were protests organised on social media, telegram, whatsapp, facebook? or do rules apply differently when protests are against injustices in usa and kashmir?
      - actuator 6y ago
        As I said, I support restoring internet access but giving the HK example wrt Kashmir is more like a strawman argument. HK situation is nowhere what Kashmir's is. HKers are fighting for democratically elected government. Look at what the guy in question was fighting for, here is a statement from his Wikipedia page. [1] > He oft-elaborated about the idea of India being entirely incompatible with Islam thus mandating a destruction at any cost, and aimed of unfurling the flag of Islam on Delhi’s Red Fort. This is the exact sort of sentiment that have been used by the current Indian government and many others around the world to stoke fear and champion for their ideology. I honestly think you do disservice to your genuine concerns when you defend people like him and this makes it easy for your real concerns to be muddled with such bigotry. Same with the protests. This will not help your cause and I honestly believe whether it is Xinjiang or Kashmir, armed separatism is not the answer and is never going to succeed. Both the countries do really need to find a better way to deal with it though. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burhan_Wani#Biography https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burhan_Wani#Biography
- arcticbull 6y ago
  What does that have to do with internet speeds? Citation needed.
  - actuator 6y ago
    He doesn't because from the data at least in the open, it does not even prove that situation has improved drastically there. I recall reading recent news about local politicians being killed there.
actuator 6y ago
Yeah, I think the whole situation is such a travesty. I have been following news of that region for a long time now and it is just sad what has happened there over the decades with atrocities committed from both sides. I firmly believe restricting internet access is just not humane at this point. There is too much dependence on internet and I consider it as a basic right. I think this heavy-handedness is going to backfire. To treat an infection, you can't just cut off the whole limnb.

jammucoder 6y ago

My friend, although I feel the same as you about the 2G connectivity issue, I should remind you that just 3 years before 370 abrogation, schools in Kashmir were shut for 8 Months [1] after the killing of Terrorist by security forces. This is the J&K I have grown up in. "Stopping terrorism" sounds like just another narrative, but not to those who have lived with its consequences. [1] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kashmir-schools-reopen-burhan-wani-encounter-winter-vacations-963272-2017-03-01 https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kashmir-schools-reopen...

2Gkashmiri 6y ago
what is your point? that its okay to actively prevent schoolchildren from studying? how does it matter schools were shut for 8 months 3 years ago. the point is, with the current pandemic, schoolchildren are stuck at home anyways and denying them high speed internet is denying them access to education. plain and simple. you argue because its been done before so everyone is used to it and thats somehow okay? its not
- actuator 6y ago
  Although a very unfair comparison, and I don't agree with it. But I think his point was three years back people were more than willing to protest for an "armed millitant"[1] and a lot of that was organized through social media. But this doesn't mean it is right, internet is a fundamental right at this point. You can't just deprive people from it with a blanket ban. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burhan_Wani https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burhan_Wani
  - 2Gkashmiri 6y ago
    your words, "people were more than willing to protest for an "armed millitant" " where do you say terrorism in that sentence? did hongkong stop internet when there were protests? or BLM which were protests organised on social media, telegram, whatsapp, facebook? or do rules apply differently when protests are against injustices in usa and kashmir?
    - actuator 6y ago
      As I said, I support restoring internet access but giving the HK example wrt Kashmir is more like a strawman argument. HK situation is nowhere what Kashmir's is. HKers are fighting for democratically elected government. Look at what the guy in question was fighting for, here is a statement from his Wikipedia page. [1] > He oft-elaborated about the idea of India being entirely incompatible with Islam thus mandating a destruction at any cost, and aimed of unfurling the flag of Islam on Delhi’s Red Fort. This is the exact sort of sentiment that have been used by the current Indian government and many others around the world to stoke fear and champion for their ideology. I honestly think you do disservice to your genuine concerns when you defend people like him and this makes it easy for your real concerns to be muddled with such bigotry. Same with the protests. This will not help your cause and I honestly believe whether it is Xinjiang or Kashmir, armed separatism is not the answer and is never going to succeed. Both the countries do really need to find a better way to deal with it though. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burhan_Wani#Biography https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burhan_Wani#Biography
arcticbull 6y ago
What does that have to do with internet speeds? Citation needed.
- actuator 6y ago
  He doesn't because from the data at least in the open, it does not even prove that situation has improved drastically there. I recall reading recent news about local politicians being killed there.

actuator 6y ago

Yeah, I think the whole situation is such a travesty. I have been following news of that region for a long time now and it is just sad what has happened there over the decades with atrocities committed from both sides. I firmly believe restricting internet access is just not humane at this point. There is too much dependence on internet and I consider it as a basic right. I think this heavy-handedness is going to backfire. To treat an infection, you can't just cut off the whole limnb.