Internet, social media banned in Uttarakhand madrassas to prevent online radicalisation

As a fallout of the arrest of four students from Haridwar suspected of being Islamic State operatives, a madrassa panel in Uttarakhand has banned its students and staff from using the internet and social media, reports the Hindustan Times.

The Madrassa Intezamia (management) Committee in Roorkee said this would help stop young men and women from being targeted for radicalisation by Islamic terror groups.

The panel has sent a written order to all madrassas in Uttarakhand, and also sent advisories to this effect to senior members of the community and clerics in other states. The order bans the use of the internet and specifically names WhatsApp and Facebook among banned social media platforms. "It has to be strictly implemented in all madrassas of the state. Violators will be expelled from their institutions," said Maulana Nawab, a cleric. The order has already been implemented in the 15 madrassas in the suburb of Roorkee from where the four young men were arrested by the police.

"Multimedia phones will not be used in madrasas," said Maulana Aarif, a senior cleric from Haridwar. "It will be mandatory for students because they are not aware about the demerits of smartphones. Students can use simple cell phones to call their parents."