Now, 'jasmine revolution' shakes China online

BANGALORE, INDIA: The public uprising that began from Tunisia and Egypt, which is now being spread to many parts of the world, especially the Arab nations, has once again underscored the power of the World Wide Web — from social networking sites and microblogging sites to blogs and Internet portals.

The latest is the repeated calls for 'Jasmine Strolls' in Chinese cities, on the lines of the 'Jasmine Revolution' in Tunisia. The 'jasmine stroll' campaign that came from overseas Chinese web sites has literally panicked the authorities, who want to cover everything with an iron curtain.

The campaign urges people to have quite demonstrations against the rule of the Chinese Communist Party. The protest demonstration slated for March 6 is scheduled to take place at pre-indicated places at pre-indicated timings.

Of course, the the authorities have not forgotten the bloodshed in Tiananmen Square in 1989 that shook the world. Maybe that was the first time when the Chinese people talked about democracy. And, with that in mind the Chinese authorities have intensified security precautions in all respects — from blocking Websites to checking mobile phones of the people, especially Tibetans, for any prohibited anti-government songs.

As part of the online censorship efforts, China had even blocked professional social networking site LinkedIn, though it was opened later.

Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to China condemned the harassment and beating of some foreign reporters who went to cover a planned protest gathering against the government. Last week Chinese censors had blocked the U.S. ambassador's name from searches on a microblogging website after he was spotted at a pro-democracy gathering.

Despite the move by the Chinese authorities, the campaign is gaining ground online. The organizers of the campaign have called for another round of protests, said reports citing a newly established Facebook page called 'Chinese Jasmine Revolution'.

“With the global call for freedom, we sincerely put our hopes on the safety and stability of Facebook, Google and Twitter, which will facilitate China's Jasmine blooming throughout our country and bring forward the fruit of democracy,” said the page's founders on their Facebook page, which is in English and Chinese.

And, in spite of the iron curtain, the revolutionary campaign is slowly spreading in China, even though social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are blocked there.

You can agree or disagree with it. But a silent revolution is picking up. And in that revolution the online social media is playing a pivotal role that no iron curtain can cover.

The revolutionary China that once said “let a thousand flowers bloom” is now saying that let it not be jasmines!