Bhawna Atmaram
With consternation, shock and an overwhelming feeling of disgust, Mauritius has woken up to the damning news that ICTA (Information and Communication Technologies Authority) has directed local telecommunications operators to temporarily suspend access to all media platforms till 11 November 2024; general elections results. The purpose? To restrict postings that might jeopardise national security and public safety.
Well, suffice to say that most Mauritians are furious and absolutely fed up. Mauritians are neither entitled, nor immature beings. Who in the world could have come up with such an ignorant idea? In a rushed attempt to censor freedom of expression, which constitutes the foundation of our democracy, the present government is instead constricting its people. It is showing its mistrust in us. With a blatant lack of consideration for people dependent on social media platforms for personal, educational and professional use, the government is only alienating all of us.
Mauritians are discerning people, who love and cherish their country. By implementing such arbitrary decisions, there is the general feeling that we have turned into a totalitarian state. After the euphoria of Diwali, the festival of lights, the government has pulled the plug on the light of freedom.
Mauritius has gone utterly mad. The whole country has been taken hostage by a rogue governing system. The exasperation has reached boiling point. We have reached a point of no return.